The New Jersey Institute of Technology's
Electronic Theses & Dissertations Project

Title:	Fluorescent probes and functionalized nanoparticles for bioimaging: synthesis, photophysical properties and applications
Author:	Liu, Xinglei
View Online:	njit-etd2018-077 (xix, 154 pages ~ 18.4 MB pdf)
Department:	Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science
Degree:	Doctor of Philosophy
Program:	Chemistry
Document Type:	Dissertation
Advisory Committee:	Belfield, Kevin D. (Committee chair) Farinas, Edgardo Tabion (Committee member) Kim, Yong Ick (Committee member) Zhang, Yuanwei (Committee member) Liu, Xuan (Committee member)
Date:	2018-05
Keywords:	Cell biology Chemosensor Fluorescence Fluorescent probes Molecular biology Two-photon fluorescence imaging
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	The development of new organic molecular probes with excellent photophysical properties and high fluorescence quantum yields is of considerable interest to many research areas including one- and two-photon fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence-based sensing methodologies, and cancer therapy. Series of organic linear-/non-linear optical molecules including squaraine derivatives, and fluorene derivatives as well as other bioconjugates are designed and synthesized during the doctoral study for the aim of ion detection (Chapter 5), photo dynamic therapy, and deep-tissue imaging (Chapter 4). These optical probes are capable of absorbing light in the near infrared (NIR) window and thus have deeper penetration and cause less photodamage to the biological sample (Chapter 2). To realize the specific targeting, molecules are functionalized by peptide conjugation such as the recruitment of RGD-peptide. There have been numerous fluorescent probes reported over the past few decades and many suffer from the ability to introduce them into biological systems, undergo fluorescent quenching in aqueous media, or are not biocompatible. Delivery of hydrophobic materials in biological materials into the biological systems, for example, contrast agents or drugs, is an obdurate challenge, severely restricting the use of materials with otherwise advantageous properties. Incorporating promising organic molecules in nanovessicles, nanoparticles, and polymeric carriers to achieve new types of biocompatible probes and bioimaging is another vital aim for this doctoral research. Combining with powerful imaging methods, such as in vivo two-photon fluorescence microscopy (2PFM), vasculature imaging during angiogenesis (Chapter 4), cellular organelles labelling and tracking (Chapter 3, 6) is accomplished using nanostructured fluorescent probes or complex. These represent powerful new tools that should have broad impact as high fidelity fluorescent contrast agents.