Carbon Quantum Dots for Zebrafish Fluorescence Imaging

Abstract

Carbon quantum dots (C-QDs) are becoming a desirable alternative to metal-based QDs and dye probes owing to their high biocompatibility, low toxicity, ease of preparation, and unique photophysical properties. Herein, we describe fluorescence bioimaging of zebrafish using C-QDs as probe in terms of the preparation of C-QDs, zebrafish husbandry, embryo harvesting, and introduction of C-QDs into embryos and larvae by soaking and microinjection. The multicolor of C-QDs was validated with their imaging for zebrafish embryo. The distribution of C-QDs in zebrafish embryos and larvae were successfully observed from their fluorescence emission. the bio-toxicity of C-QDs was tested with zebrafish as model and C-QDs do not interfere to the development of zebrafish embryo. All of the results confirmed the high biocompatibility and low toxicity of C-QDs as imaging probe. The absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion route (ADME) of C-QDs in zebrafish was revealed by their distribution. Our work provides the useful information for the researchers interested in studying with zebrafish as a model and the applications of C-QDs. The operations related zebrafish are suitable for the study of the toxicity, adverse effects, transport, and biocompatibility of nanomaterials as well as for drug screening with zebrafish as model.

Preparation of fluorescent organic nanoparticles from polyethylenimine and sucrose for cell imaging

“…Even when the concentration was raised up to 120 μg mL -1 , the cell viability value was still greater than 90%, indicating the low toxicity and excellent biocompatibility of the FONs, which can be used as a safe probe for in vivo applications. multicolor cell imaging, which has also been reported in the previous literatures [21,23]. Owing to the intense fluorescence derived from the PEI-Suc FONs, strong fluorescent signal could be detected, which was highly beneficial for cell imaging.…”

In vivo characterization of hair and skin derived carbon quantum dots with high quantum yield as long-term bioprobes in zebrafish

“…Although there have been some reports on CDs used as fluorescence probes30, the different types of CDs, the longstanding exposure of CDs in vivo and the decaying process of CDs were not studied in detail. In this study, two carbon quantum dots with high QYs, HCDs and SCDs, were prepared from the protein-rich hair and pig skin by microwave assisted carbonization treatment.…”

“…Therefore, it should be ensured the safety of CDs before applying them for bio-applications, such as bioluminescence imaging. In order to prove the feasibility of CDs used as fluorescent probes, several models have been used to examine the dispersibility, toxicity and biological compatibility of CDs both in vitro and in vivo , such as cells42425, bacteria2627, mouse2829 and zebrafish30. Among all above models, zebrafish ( Danio Rerio ) is a favorite model for the studies on the practicability of CDs as bioprobes, due to its short generation time, low husbandry cost, facile genetic screening and expression, prompt embryonic development and transparent embryo for optical in vivo imaging.…”

Cyto-toxicity, biocompatibility and cellular response of carbon dots–plasmonic based nano-hybrids for bioimaging

“…[12][13][14] In addition, the uorescence blinking in single SQDs, is harmful for dynamic tracking due to information loss. 15,16 Alternatively, during the last decade studying the photophysics of carbon dots (C-dots) as a new class of nanoparticles became a target for many research groups [17][18][19] due to their biocompatibility, 20 low toxicity, 21 water solubility 22 and high quantum yield. 18,20,22 In addition to its advantages are easy to synthesize 18,[23][24][25][26] and functionalization of specic targeting.…”