Gold nanorods for applications in biological imaging

摘要

Two-Photon luminescence (TPL) from gold nanorods shows considerable potential in biological imaging for high resolution, low photo-damage, tunable near infra-red (NIR) longitudinal band, polarization dependence, ability to conjugate to bio-molecules and low toxicity. Here we demonstrate the application of gold nanorods as TPL imaging agents by studying the gold nanorods taken up by Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells using both confocal imaging and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). The characteristic luminescence lifetime of gold nanorods is found to be less than 100 ps, which can be used to distinguish gold nanorods from other fluorescent labels and endogenous fluorophores in lifetime imaging.