FRET Enhanced Fluorescent Nanodiamonds

Abstract

Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) are one of the new and very promising biocompatible nanomaterials that can be used both as fluorescence imaging agent and a highly versatile platform for controlled functionalization to target and deliver a wide spectrum of therapeutic agents. Among the remarkable fluorescence properties are excellent photo-stability, emission between 600–700nm, quantum yield of 1 and moderately long fluorescence lifetimes. However the low absorption cross section of fluorescent (N-V)− centers limits FNDs' brightness. In this work we show that an approach based on the Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) may significantly enhance the fluorescence signal observed from a single ND. We demonstrate that organic dyes (fluorophores) attached to the FND surface can efficiently transfer the excitation energy to (N-V)− centers. Multiple dyes positioned in close proximity to the ND facile surface may serve as harvesting antennas transferring excitation energy to the fluorescent centers. We propose that, with the help of some of the functional groups present on the FND surface, we can either directly link flurophores or use scalable dendrimer chemistry to position many organic dyes at a calibrated distance. Also, the remaining multiple functional groups will be still available for particle targeting and drug delivery. This opens a new way for designing a new type of theranostics particles of ultra-high brightness, high photostability, specific targeting, and high capacity for drug delivery.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Review of Conventional and Advanced Therapeutic Strategies

“…In this technological revolution, we can also find materials such as fluorescent nano-diamonds (FNDs). Fluorescent nano-diamonds are biocompatible nanomaterials often used in MDA-MB-231 theranostics [156,183].…”

“…Fluorescent nano-diamonds (FNDs) are biocompatible nanomaterials often used in MDA-MB-231 theranostics [183].…”

Nanodiamonds and silicon quantum dots: ultrastable and biocompatible luminescent nanoprobes for long-term bioimaging

“…The red shift of the PL band, with increasing Si QD size, and the larger band energy than the Si indirect band gap of 1.1 eV demonstrate distinctly the quantum confinement effect on the band gap energy in Si quantum dots smaller than 4 nm. 117,118 These materials maintain only in part the characteristic properties of Si QDs. This process was exploited to tune the Si core size, and it yielded Si QDs with fine wavelengthtunable PL as shown in Fig.…”

The Role of Nanotechnology in Induced Pluripotent and Embryonic Stem Cells Research

“…139 The atomic composition of nano-diamonds enables enhancement of labeling by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), but at the cost of introduction of the nano-diamonds into stem cells. 140 141 Based on the results so far, nano-diamonds have been shown to be relatively safe for stem cells, 142 143 whereas a slight increase in DNA repair proteins in nanodiamond-labeled embryonic stem cells has been found. 144 Integrating magnetic nanoparticles with near infrared quantum dots could give rise to an attractive in vivo stem cell tracking system for clinical translation.…”