This technology describes how to create and use polymer nanoparticles that enable cellular imaging via Raman scattering. These Raman-active nanoparticles overcome the traditional shortcomings associated with nanoparticles such as difficult synthesis, cellular toxicity, the need for background contrast, and bleaching when exposed to a light source. Moreover, these particles have broad functionality, including multiplexed experiments in cellular mechanics, diagnostic imaging spanning multiple days, and, critically, delivery of gene therapy agents with simultaneous imaging. These Raman-active nanoparticles not only overcome the drawbacks of existing nanoparticle technologies, but open the doors to advanced imaging techniques and new applications.
This nanoparticle technology is created through straight-forward emulsion polymerization techniques, using a co-monomer containing Raman-active agents and cyclopropenium surfactants. This process grants control of particle size (10 to 100+ nm) and biomolecule conjugation, including payloads of multiple nucleic acids, antibodies, and drugs. Unlike other nanoparticles, Raman-active nanoparticles are stable across multiple imaging instances and provide strong signals due to each Raman tag’s unique molecular vibration signature, which minimally influences particle behavior when acting as delivery agents. Additionally, since the nanoparticles are organic molecules and are imaged through their natural vibrations, they avoid the cytotoxicity, photobleaching, and contrasting agents associated with conventional inorganic molecules such as quantum dots, fluorescent tags, or gold particles. The simplicity, exceptional properties, and wide range of customizability allows this technology to be effective in many applications previously unaddressable by nanoparticles.
Patent Pending (US 20160267688)
Tech Ventures Reference: IR CU15294