A "schizophotonic" all-in-one nanoparticle coating for multiplexed SE(R)RS biomedical imaging.

ABSTRACT: SERS nanoprobes for in vivo biomedical applications require high quantum yield, long circulation times, and maximum colloidal stability. Traditional synthetic routes require high metal-dye affinities and are challenged by unfavorable electrostatic interactions and limited scalability. We report the synthesis of a new near-IR active poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide) (pHPMA). The integration of various SERS reporters into a biocompatible polymeric surface coating allows for controlled dye incorporation, high colloidal stability, and optimized in vivo circulation times. This technique allows the synthesis of very small (<20 nm) SERS probes, which is crucial for the design of excretable and thus highly translatable imaging agents. Depending on their size, the "schizophotonic" nanopartic

SUBMITTER: Iacono P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4389888 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature