A combined photoelectrochemical and fluorescence imaging system for investigating nanoparticle-cell interactions

Nanoparticles (NPs) have become increasingly attractive for biomedical applications such as targeted drug delivery, cancer therapy,and bioimaging due to their excellent properties.

The investigation of NP-cell interactions (cellular uptake and cytotoxicity) is crucialto the development of safe and effective use of NP in living organisms.

However, current methods for studying NP-cell interactionsrely on fluorescence microscopy, and complementary methods need to be done separately.

Therefore, we propose to develop a novelimaging system that can conduct label-free photoelectrochemical imaging and fluorescence imaging simultaneously so that electrical signals from the basal side of cells and fluorescence signals can be obtained in tandem. A laser with a suitable wavelength will be used as the excitation source for both fluorescence and photocurrent.

This imaging system will be validated by monitoring cell viability withfluorescence assay and photocurrent imaging, and by monitoring the cellular uptake of model NPs to correlate the physicochemical properties of NPs to their uptake efficiency and toxicity. These validation experiments will be compared with established techniques.

This system will be used to study neuron-NP interactions to reveal the mechanism of NPs functional effects in neuronal activities.

The combined imaging system will help us gain a deeper understanding of NP-cell interactions and will offer a label-free method for assessing the toxicity of NPs in the biomedicine field.

Therefore, this project will facilitate the rapid development of safe and effective nanomedicines and nano-delivery systems that allow site-specific, target-oriented delivery of precise medicines to treat and prevent various diseases.

This will significantly increase the impact of nanomedicines in the clinic, increase the quality of life for an ageing population and help us respond to public health emergencies effectively.