scholarly journals Self-illumination of Carbon Dots by Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jisu Song ◽  
Jin Zhang

Abstract Carbon-dots (CDs), the emerging fluorescent nanoparticles, show special multicolor properties, chemical stability, and biocompatibility, and are considered as the new and advanced imaging probe in replacement of molecular fluorophores and semiconductor quantum dots. However, the requirement of external high power light source limits the application of fluorescent nanomaterials in bio-imaging. The present study aims to take advantage of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer mechanism (BRET) in creating self-illuminating C-dots. Renilla luciferase (Rluc) is chosen as the BRET donor molecule. Conjugation of Renilla luciferase and C-dots is necessary to keep their distance close for energy transfer. The optimal condition for achieving BRET is investigated by studying the effects of different factors on the performance of BRET, including the type of conjugation, concentration of carbon dots, and conjugation time. The linear relationship of BRET efficiency as a function of the amount of C-dots in the range of 0.20–0.80 mg/mL is observed. The self-illuminating carbon dots could be applied in bioimaging avoiding the tissue damage from the external high power light source.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alagan Muthurasu ◽  
V GANESH

Carbon dots (CDs) exhibiting fluorescence property are generally derived from carbonaceous materials and possessing ultra small size with various exciting physical, chemical and photo-properties that have been used in many...


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomomi Kaku ◽  
Kazunori Sugiura ◽  
Tetsuyuki Entani ◽  
Kenji Osabe ◽  
Takeharu Nagai

AbstractUsing the lux operon (luxCDABE) of bacterial bioluminescence system as an autonomous luminous reporter has been demonstrated in bacteria, plant and mammalian cells. However, applications of bacterial bioluminescence-based imaging have been limited because of its low brightness. Here, we engineered the bacterial luciferase (heterodimer of luxA and luxB) by fusion with Venus, a bright variant of yellow fluorescent protein, to induce bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). By using decanal as an externally added substrate, color change and ten-times enhancement of brightness was achieved in Escherichia coli when circularly permuted Venus was fused to the C-terminus of luxB. Expression of the Venus-fused luciferase in human embryonic kidney cell lines (HEK293T) or in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves together with the substrate biosynthesis-related genes (luxC, luxD and luxE) enhanced the autonomous bioluminescence. We believe the improved luciferase will forge the way towards the potential development of autobioluminescent reporter system allowing spatiotemporal imaging in live cells.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Dacres ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Virginia Leitch ◽  
Irene Horne ◽  
Alisha R. Anderson ◽  
...  

Nanomedicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abolghasem Abbasi Kajani ◽  
Masoud Ayatollahi Mehrgardi

Aim: To develop a novel theranostic nanoplatform for simultaneous fluorescent monitoring and stimuli-triggered drug delivery. Materials & methods: Different microscopic and spectroscopic techniques were used for the characterization of nanocarriers. MCF-7 and human umbilical vein endothelial cell lines were cultured and treated with different doses of doxorubicin-loaded nanocarriers. The cell viability and drug release were studied using MTT assay and fluorescence microscopy. Results: Biocompatible and mono-disperse nanocarriers represent hollow and mesoporous structures with the calculated surface area of 552.83 m2.g-1, high magnetic activity (12.6 emu.g-1), appropriate colloidal stability and high drug loading capacity (up to 61%). Conclusion: Taxane-based carbon dots act as the pH-responsive gatekeepers for the controlled release of doxorubicin into cancer cells and provide a fluorescence resonance energy transfer system for real-time monitoring of drug delivery.


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