Real‐Time Monitoring of Nanoparticle Formation by FRET Imaging. Issue 11 (23rd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sanchez‐Gaytan, Brenda L.; Fay, François; Hak, Sjoerd; Alaarg, Amr; Fayad, Zahi A.; Pérez‐Medina, Carlos; Mulder, Willem J. M.; Zhao, Yiming
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 56:Issue 11(2017)
• Page Start: 2923
• Page End: 2926
• Publication Date: 2017-01-23
• Subjects: block co-polymers -- FRET -- high-density lipoproteins -- microfluidics -- nanoemulsions; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201611288
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Understanding the formation process of nanoparticles is of the utmost importance to improve their design and production. This especially holds true for self‐assembled nanoparticles whose formation processes have been largely overlooked. Herein, we present a new technology that integrates a microfluidic‐based nanoparticle synthesis method and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy imaging to visualize nanoparticle self‐assembly in real time. Applied to different nanoparticle systems, for example, nanoemulsions, drug‐loaded block‐copolymer micelles, and nanocrystal‐core reconstituted high‐density lipoproteins, we have shown the approach's unique ability to investigate key parameters affecting nanoparticle formation. Abstract : Watching them form : A new technology is described that combines microfluidic‐based nanoparticle synthesis and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy imaging to visualize nanoparticle self‐assembly in real time. The FRET pair dyes DiO and DiI are incorporated during mixing and nanoparticle assembly to provide a spatial and temporal read‐out.