Zwitterionic fluorescent nanoparticles prepared using BODIPY conjugated polysulfobetaines for cancer cell imaging

Abstract

Zwitterionic fluorescent nanoparticles are developed by using polysulfobetaine methacrylate, NIPAAm and BODIPY fluorophores to identify the cancer cells in response to intra and extracellular stimuli. The fluorescent nanoparticles exhibit minimal fluorescence intensity at physiological temperature and pH, while strong emissions are observed in acidic and basic environments enabling the nanoparticles to act as novel fluorescence probes.