Carbon
dots (CDs) and G4-G6 (polyamidoamine)PAMAM-NH2 dendrimers
were self-assembled to produce CDs@PAMAM nanohybrids
for transfection and bioimaging purposes. CDs were synthesized by
the hydrothermal method, using ascorbic acid as a starting precursor
and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, UV–Vis,
and fluorescence (in solution and solid-state) techniques. CDs were
electrostatically combined with PAMAM dendrimers at room temperature,
and the UV–Vis, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopies were used
to confirm the self-assembly. When compared to pristine CDs, nanohybrids
were more photostable, resisting high acidic and basic pH. Moreover,
they were considerably internalized by cells, as assessed by flow
cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, and, when excited, displayed
multi-color emission easily quantified and visualized. These nanoscale
hybrids, coined hybridplexes, can condense pDNA and transfecting cells
successfully, particularly the G5 CDs@PAMAM nanohybrids. In summary,
CDs prepared in mild and smooth lab conditions, showing good optical
properties, were used to prepare elegantly CDs@PAMAM nanohybrids with
promising biomedical applications.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.