A new
platform based on chitin nanocrystals has been developed
for biorecognition applications. TEMPO-oxidized chitin nanocrystals
(TCNs) were labeled with a fluorescent imidazoisoquinolinone dye,
and simultaneously conjugated with carbohydrate ligands, resulting
in dually functionalized TCNs. The biorecognition properties of the
nanocrystals were probed with lectins and bacteria, resulting in selective
interactions with their corresponding cognate carbohydrate-binding
proteins, as visualized by optical, fluorescence, STEM, and TEM imaging.
This represents a new approach to multifunctional nanomaterials based
on naturally occurring polymers, holding high potential for biomedical
applications.