Development of a molecular bioswitch using fluorescence lifetime imaging: Incremental activation of fluorescein diacetate

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Molecular bioswitches offer an invaluable asset in the shift from systemic to targeted treatments. Within the growing arsenal of switches are imaging probes that functionalize only in given locations or situations. Acetate esters are a common fluorescent example, known to activate upon interaction with esterases. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) is one such fluorophore used in cell viability assays. These assays rely on the fact that the compound begins colorless and with no fluorescent signature whatsoever, and only after internalization into cells it is possible to detect a fluorescence signal. In this study, using fluorescence intensity (FI) and fluorescence lifetime (FLT) imaging, FDA is shown to be fluorescent even when unactivated. Furthermore, the FLT is shown to change with pH. Finally, the ability to image FDA in different environments simulated by tissue-imitating phantoms is explored. Altogether, the ability of FDA to serve as a bioswitch when measured using FLT imaging microscopy (FLIM) is assessed. The combination of a spectrum of FDA activation and FLIM serves as a bioswitch, where biologically relevant stimulation can generate detectable and incremental variations.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere201700084
JournalJournal of Biophotonics
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2018

Keywords

  • bioswitch
  • fluorescein diacetate
  • fluorescence lifetime
  • fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Engineering
  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Materials Science
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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