Ruthenium Nanoparticles

About

What is the problem? Imaging information at the nanoscale can lead to breakthroughs in healthcare and material development. Current probes provide spatial resolution and may also be used for targeting.  Simultaneous provision of biochemical data simultaneously with spatial resolution and directed targeting may also be useful in certain circumstances. Current imaging compounds are limited in multimodal use due to their synthetic complexity. Most of the organic based probes suffer from lack of photostability, short luminescence lifetimes and  narrow wavelength separation between excitation and detection light; the latter brings serious limitations in imaging with interference of scattering light close to excitation source. Our new Solution? A new method has been developed for attaching metal complexes to nanoparticles for imaging cells and tissues and other studies in materials science. This approach allows a high loading of  luminescent or MRI probe materials on the  nanoparticles providing nanoprobes with strong signal output. Attachment of targeting agents on the nanoparticle is also possible  allowing mixed modality use.Cell imaging has been undertaken using epi- and confocal luminescence microscopy as well as transmission electron microscopy. Benefits of the new technology Attachment of metal complexes on nanoparticles is now possible ,mediated by commercially available materials, metal coated nano-particles are highly luminescent this has been demonstrated with  red, green or orange emitters, these novel nano particles can be characterised with different techniques including spectroscopy and microscopy, the particles may also be useful for labelling tumours, making the tumours easier to target with radiotherapy. Background Nanoparticles based on noble, inert metals such as gold and platinum can act as scaffolds for attachment of multiple probes not only to increase signal output but also to bring several modalities attached to a single particle. Metal probes are particularly attractive for their luminescent, redox and MRI properties. Current methods for  producing nanoparticles have problems with dispersion water solubility or size which can affect functions such as cell uptake or detection by imaging techniques.  The coating of gold and platinum nanoparticles is a reliable way of controlling size and loading of the probe.  Coating with luminescent metal complexes is attractive for biological applications for several reasons including emission in the visible,  suitability for biological samples and photostability. However metal complexes are usually positively charged and attempts to attach them to gold nano-particles leads to agglomeration of the particles. This new method of attachment causes no agglomeration on the particles and at the same time allows efficient loading. Further studies continue to explore the utility of these materials.