Optimizing Multicolor Nanoprobes for Electron Microscopy

Presenter

Isabella Anne MacNaughton

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Max Prigozhin, Department of Biomedical Engineering, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 5, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board C33, Poster Showcase Room (163), Row 4 (C31-C40) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Studying cellular ultrastructure requires nanoscale resolution capable by the high magnification power of electron microscopes. However, current nanoparticles for electron microscopy, such as gold nanoparticles, limit imaging capabilities of complex cellular interactions to one target. We are developing an imaging approach that combines the nanoscale resolution of electron microscopy with the species identity of light. Multicolor rare-earth nanoparticles produce light utilizing the cathodoluminescent properties of rare-earth elements. Cathodoluminescence occurs when an electron beam hits a luminescent material, inducing the emission of photons in the visible spectrum. Here, we focused on the growth conditions and shell formulations that would maximize the uniformity of nanoparticle size and shape, while also maintaining the cathodoluminescent intensity of the particle. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the presence of a shell and scanning transmission electron microscopy was used to analyze changes in the nanoprobes' size, shape, and brightness. Decreasing the growth step during nanoparticle synthesis reduced the size of the particle core to 6nm while increasing uniformity of shape. Adding an yttrium shell to holmium cores increased the cathodoluminescence intensity of the nanoparticle as a function of size. Cathodoluminescent rare-earth nanoparticles with a sub-15 nm diameter and circular shape may be cell-permeable and specific for accurately localizing proteins in situ.

Keywords

Protein tagging, Nanoparticles, Cellular interactions

Research Area

Chemistry and Materials Science

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