Targeted fluorescent gold nanocluster for NIR imaging (Conference Presentation)

Fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with emission in near infrared (NIR) range have drawn wide attention due to its bright fluorescence, good biocompatibility and photostability. In this work, AuNCs with emission at 800 nm were synthesized through a simple glutathione reduction method through heating. Cyclic RGD peptide will be conjugated through thiol-PEG-amine as targeting ligand. The AuNCs are then used for two photon fluorescent imaging, due to the wide stokes shift. In vivo NIR fluorescent study showed the accumulation of the AuNCs in tumor areas. Moreover, the AuNCs also showed brain uptake, which indicates possible applications in brain imaging.