Application of NaYF₄:Yb/Er/Tm UCNPs in Array-Based Sensing of Neurotransmitters: From a Single Particle to a Multichannel Sensor Array

Abstract

A novel multichannel sensor array has been designed using a single, yet multiemissive lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP). The energy levels of lanthanide ions gave rise to several emission bands which were exploited as individual sensor elements for the recognition of four important neurotransmitters (NTs): dopamine, norepinephrine, levodopa, and serotonin. At alkaline conditions, the oxidation products of these NTs quenched the fluorescence emissions of UCNPs with different quenching degrees. The resulting fingerprint multichannel emission profiles from NaYF4:Yb/Er/Tm UCNPs allowed the discrimination of NTs with excellent accuracy. The recognition was further verified in artificial cerebrospinal fluid, as a complex biological media. We believe that the designed UCNP-based multichannel sensor array offers innovative insights into the discrimination of various chemical signatures using a single measurement.

Enhancement of single upconversion nanoparticle imaging by topologically segregated core-shell structure with inward energy migration

“…These advantages make UCNPs promising single-molecule imaging probes, which typically suffer from limited photostability and tissue autofluorescence. UCNPs doped with the lanthanide ion Er 3+ or Tm 3+ as emitter and Yb 3+ as sensitizer have been explored as single-molecule imaging probes 21 – 24 . However, the faint brightness of single nanoparticles limits their application in bioimaging, especially for sub-20 nm UCNPs 25 , 26 .…”

Chiral Luminescent Sensor Eu-BTB@d-Carnitine Applied in the Highly Effective Ratiometric Sensing of Curing Drugs and Biomarkers for Diabetes and Hypertension

“…Adrenergic α receptors are from the nervous system and are divided into two subtypes according to their action characteristics and distribution: α1, α2. α1 receptors are mainly distributed in the vascular smooth muscle (such as skin, mucosal blood vessels, and some internal organs). − When excited, it causes vasoconstriction. α1 receptors are also distributed in the pupil dilator muscle, and the pupil dilator muscle contracts and the pupil dilates when excited .…”

Lanthanide upconversion and downshifting luminescence for biomolecules detection

“…Taking advantage of the multiple emission bands of UCNPs, Nezhad's group designed a multichannel sensor array for distinguishing four neurotransmitters: dopamine, levodopa, serotonin, and norepinephrine. 68 The fluorescent emission intensity of the UCNPs can be quenched by the oxidation products of the neurotransmitters with different levels under alkaline conditions. As a result, the multichannel emission intensity from the UCNPs selectively discriminates the neurotransmitters.…”