An examination of specific cellular organelle-targeting nanotags using combined 3D Raman and SERS imaging
Metal nanoparticles (NPs), such as silver/gold NPs, are ideal for enhancing cell imaging sensitivity. Through their surface plasmon and electric field effects, NPs can greatly enhance the Raman signals of the adsorbed molecules. This effect is termed surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). When internalised by cells, NPs can enhance the cells’ intrinsic Raman signals [1]. By tagging NPs with reporter molecules, nanotags can be delivered into cells for cellular imaging, and be distinguished through their reporters’ SERS signatures [2]. This capability benefits research which involves the intracellular delivery of NPs, e.g. thermal therapy of cancer and transporting drug molecules into cells.
We have previously demonstrated the use of combined 3D SERS and Raman imaging for the verification of intracellular nanotag delivery. By using a Renishaw inVia Raman microscope coupled to 532 nm and 633 nm laser sources, both the cells’ intrinsic Raman signals and the NPs’ SERS signals were recorded. By overlaying the datasets, we successfully revealed the locations of the nanotags within the cells in a three dimensional manner [2].
Specific targeting of cellular organelles by NPs can be achieved by functionalization with peptide targets. In this work, we investigated the specific targeting of endoplasmic reticulum and trans-Golgi network in Chinese hamster ovarian cells using functionalised nanotags. The targeting was further examined using the combined 3D SERS and Raman imaging method.
We have previously demonstrated the use of combined 3D SERS and Raman imaging for the verification of intracellular nanotag delivery. By using a Renishaw inVia Raman microscope coupled to 532 nm and 633 nm laser sources, both the cells’ intrinsic Raman signals and the NPs’ SERS signals were recorded. By overlaying the datasets, we successfully revealed the locations of the nanotags within the cells in a three dimensional manner [2].
Specific targeting of cellular organelles by NPs can be achieved by functionalization with peptide targets. In this work, we investigated the specific targeting of endoplasmic reticulum and trans-Golgi network in Chinese hamster ovarian cells using functionalised nanotags. The targeting was further examined using the combined 3D SERS and Raman imaging method.
