abstract
Bimodal nanoprobes comprising both magnetic and optical functionalities have been prepared via a sequential two-step process. Firstly, magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) with well-defined cubic shape and an average dimension of 80 nm were produced by hydrolysis of iron sulfate and were then surface modified with silica shells by using the sol-gel method. The Fe3O4@SiO2 particles were then functionalized with the fluorophore, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), mediated by assembled shells of the cationic polyelectrolyte, polyethyleneimine (PEI). The Fe3O4 functionalized particles were then preliminary evaluated as fluorescent and magnetic probes by performing studies in which neuroblast cells have been contacted with these nanomaterials.
keywords
IRON-OXIDE NANOPARTICLES; DRUG-DELIVERY; BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS; INTRACELLULAR UPTAKE; SILICA SPHERES; PARTICLES; LUMINESCENT; CELLS; LAYER
subject category
Materials Science
authors
Pinheiro, PC; Daniel-da-Silva, AL; Tavares, DS; Calatayud, MP; Goya, GF; Trindade, T
our authors
Ana Luísa Daniel da Silva
Principal Researcher
Daniela Soraia dos Santos Tavares
PhD Student
Paula Pinheiro
Research Fellowship
Tito Trindade
Full professorProjects
acknowledgements
This research was financed by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (ERA-Eula/0003/2009 and Pest-C/CTM/LA0011/2011), FSE and POPH. G. F. Goya and M. P. Calatayud acknowledge the financial support from MINECO-Spain, through project MAT2010-19326. We are indebted to L. Asin for her kind support with optical microscopy images.