Polydopamine encapsulation of fluorescent nanodiamonds for biomedical applications.

ABSTRACT: Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) are promising bio-imaging probes compared with other fluorescent nanomaterials such as quantum dots, dye-doped nanoparticles, and metallic nanoclusters, due to their remarkable optical properties and excellent biocompatibility. Nevertheless, they are prone to aggregation in physiological salt solutions, and modifying their surface to conjugate biologically active agents remains challenging. Here, inspired by the adhesive protein of marine mussels, we demonstrate encapsulation of FNDs within a polydopamine (PDA) shell. These PDA surfaces are readily modified via Michael addition or Schiff base reactions with molecules presenting thiol or nitrogen derivatives. We describe modification of PDA shells by thiol terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-SH) molecules t

SUBMITTER: Jung HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6342502 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature