Multicolor Liquid Crystal Nanoparticles as Efficient Biomarkers
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Description:
The Naval Research Laboratory has developed aqueous suspensions of highly fluorescent organic nanocolloids consisting of three major components: i) polymerizable liquid crystals, ii) fractional amounts of a stable and highly fluorescent dye, and iii) surface capping agent. Polymerizable liquid crystals provide a means of stabilizing nanocolloids and controlling the aggregation of the dye within the nanocolloids. By varying the ratio of the liquid crystal to dye components during nanocolloid synthesis, the dye aggregation is controlled and, hence, the fluorescent emission signature of the nanocolloids can be tuned over a wide range of the visible spectrum under single wavelength excitation. The integrated capping agent provides accessible chemical groups for simple conjugation of biomolecules. The long term stability, small size, intense fluorescence with large emission Stokes shift, and ease of bioconjugation open a wide range of applications in biological labeling and bioimaging.Advantages/Features Include:
- Multiple wavelength emissions when excited under a single wavelength excitation.
- Intense fluorescence with large emission Stokes shift; low background noise.
- Easily conjugated with biomolecules using standard chemical coupling techniques.
- Features include long shelf life, pH stability, and small size (50-200nm).
Applications Include:
- Dye doped optical labels for biological and chemical sensors and diagnostics.
- Colloidal crystals photonics.
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Contact:
Naval Research LaboratoryTechnology Transfer Office, Code 1004
techtran@research.nrl.navy.mil