Protein-modified ultra-small gold clusters for dual-modal in vivo fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging

摘要

BackgroundConstruction of nanoprobes for dual-modal fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is of great importance for the detection of disease pathology and the development of innovative therapeutics. Previously ultra-small gold clusters were designed and used as contrast agents for fluorescence imaging (FLI). However, it is not clear whether they can also serve as promising probes for PAI. In this study, protein-modified ultra-small gold clusters are produced and examined quantitatively as enhanced contrast agents for dual-modal in vivo fluorescence and PAI.