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Sensing of intracellular pH is of particular interest in biomedical research since structure and function of biomolecules strongly depend on the concentration of protons in their environment. We have functionalized photon upconversion nano-particles (UCNPs) with pH responsive dyes to achieve nanoprobes for intracellular pH determination. The sensing mechanism is based on a resonance energy transfer (UC-RET) from the 550 nm emission of hexagonal nanocrystals of NaYF4: Yb3+,Er3+ to the pH-sensitive fluorophore pHrodoTM Red. The nanocrystals were coated with thin shells of aminosilane or highly branched polyethylenimine (PEI) with several nanometer layer thickness for coupling of the pH indicator.
The nanoprobes are calibrated by ratiometric dual wavelength readout at 550 nm (reference signal) and 590 nm (sensor signal) and visualized using a scanning confocal fluorescence microscope with 980 nm excitation wavelength. It was found that PEI coating enables a higher coupling of indicator molecules on the particle surface, better signal to reference ratios in ratiometric readout and an improved cellular uptake compared to the aminosilane coated particles due to a more positive zeta potential. We studied the cellular uptake efficacy of the nanoprobes and determined to which type of compartment, lysosomes, endosomes or cytosol, the probes are targeted to by measuring the pH of their microenvironment. An in situ control was performed in live cells by a treatment with nigericin, whereby the pH of all intracellular compartments is set at extracellular level.
Finally, we will show new strategies for the preparation of UCNP-dye conjugates with improved UC-RET efficiency to achieve higher acceptor (sensor) emission.
The detection of potential contaminants as early as possible and as close to their point of emission as well as immission is becoming increasingly important in contemporary environmental analytical chemistry. In addition, real-time monitoring of important chemical parameters for process control is strongly gaining relevance within the context of Industry 4.0. Not only is the development of powerful optical probes thus necessary but also their integration into a matrix and/or device that allows for the application of such systems in realistic measurement scenarios. Integrating fluorescent probes with sensing matrices, however, presents a major challenge because usually, when confined in a rather rigid matrix, fluorophores tend to behave completely different than for instance in the molecular state in solution. The present contribution will highlight recent examples of successful integration of BODIPY (boron–dipyrromethene) based probes with devices that have been developed in our group.
A simple system utilizing a test strip for direct readout with a conventional miniaturized camera as for instance routinely used in smartphones was recently devised by us for the determination of organophosphate nerve or chemical warfare agents (CWAs) Sarin (GB), Soman (GD), and Tabun (GA) in aqueous environments. Here, we coupled a reactive BODIPY to the inner and outer surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles. In the presence of CWAs, the reactive BODIPY dye with an optimally positioned hydroxyl group undergoes an acylation reaction, yielding a bicyclic product that is non-emissive. The strong fluorescence quenching response allows reaching LODs in the pM range in natural waters.
Steric embedding, again relying on test strip analysis in combination with a smartphone-based readout and data processing, was sufficient to create a reusable optical pH stick. The family of pH-responsive fluorescent BODIPY probes used for this purpose has been designed in a rational manner with the aid of quantum chemistry tools. All the probes display very similar spectroscopic properties with ON−OFF fluorescence switching responses, being retained after embedding of the probes into hydrogel sensor spots on a plastic strip.
Dispensing with a matrix yet invoking microfluidic chips finally permits to use a highly sensitive boronic acid-functionalized BODIPY probe for in-line sugar analysis for instance in the beverage industry. Placement of an amino group in direct neighbourhood of the boronic acid moiety yielded a broad working range at neutral pH while meeting the desired sensitivity in the micro-molar range due to a pronounced analyte-induced fluorescence increase, guaranteeing the straightforward detection of sugar in (coloured) sodas without sample clean-up.