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Demonstration of the lack of cytotoxicity of unmodified and folic acid modified graphene oxide quantum dots, and their application to fluorescence lifetime imaging of HaCaT cells

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Abstract

The authors describe the synthesis of water-soluble and fluorescent graphene oxide quantum dots via acid exfoliation of graphite nanoparticles. The resultant graphene oxide quantum dots (GoQDs) were then modified with folic acid. Folic acid receptors are overexpressed in cancer cells and hence can bind to functionalized graphene oxide quantum dots. On excitation at 305 nm, the GoQDs display green fluorescence with a peak wavelength at ~520 nm. The modified GoQDs are non-toxic to macrophage cells even after prolonged exposure and high concentrations. Fluorescence lifetime imaging and multiphoton microscopy was used (in combination) to image HeCaT cells exposed to GoQDs, resulting in a superior method for bioimaging.

Schematic representation of graphene oxide quantum dots, folic acid modified graphene oxide quantum dots (red), and the use of fluorescence lifetime to discriminate against green auto-fluorescence of HeCaT cells.

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Acknowledgements

Dr. David M. Brown and Prof. Vicki Stone from Heriot-Watt University for their hospitality and advice for determining the nanotoxicity of graphene oxide quantum dots. We look forward to future collaborations. Thank you to the Royal Society London for funding travels to Edinburgh to visit Heriot-Watt University. Hauke Studier for undertaking the initial analysis using MPM. Ruihua Guo from Beijing Normal University who aided in discussion in the initial stages of the project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical and Physical Science, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand

    Renee V. Goreham, Kathryn L. Schroeder, Siobhan J. Bradley & Thomas Nann

  2. School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, The University of South Australia, Adelaide, 5000, Australia

    Amy Holmes

Authors
  1. Renee V. Goreham
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  2. Kathryn L. Schroeder
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  3. Amy Holmes
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  4. Siobhan J. Bradley
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  5. Thomas Nann
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The manuscript was written through contributions of all authors. All authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Renee V. Goreham.

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The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.

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Goreham, R., Schroeder, K.L., Holmes, A. et al. Demonstration of the lack of cytotoxicity of unmodified and folic acid modified graphene oxide quantum dots, and their application to fluorescence lifetime imaging of HaCaT cells. Microchim Acta 185, 128 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-2679-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-2679-8

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