Highly photostable nanogels for fluorescence-based theranostics.

ABSTRACT: A novel photo-crosslinkable nanogel is prepared from a biodegradable polymer template with intrinsic photoluminescence and high photostability. The fluorescent nanogels display excellent biodegradability and cytocompatibility owed to the facile synthesis scheme involving a solvent-and surfactant-free one-pot reaction, derived entirely from biocompatible monomers citric acid, maleic acid, L-cysteine, and poly(ethylene glycol). The resultant nanogels are less than 200 nm in diameter with a narrow size distribution and monodispersity, and demonstrate long-term structural stability in biological buffer for two weeks. To gauge potential in theranostic applications, the fluorescent nanogels were surface functionalized with biologically active RGD peptides and encapsulated with active anti-cancer

SUBMITTER: Gyawali D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5842948 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature