Measuring Nanoscale Thermostability of Cell Membranes with Single Gold–Diamond Nanohybrids

Abstract

Much of the current understanding of thermal effects in biological systems is based on macroscopic measurements. There is little knowledge about the local thermostability or heat tolerance of subcellular components at the nanoscale. Herein, we show that gold nanorod–fluorescent nanodiamond (GNR‐FND) hybrids are useful as a combined nanoheater/nanothermometer in living cells. With the use of a 594 nm laser for both heating and probing, we measure the temperature changes by recording the spectral shifts of the zero‐phonon lines of negatively charged nitrogen‐vacancy centers in FNDs. The technique allows us to determine the rupture temperatures of individual membrane nanotubes in human embryonic kidney cells, as well as to generate high temperature gradients on the cell membrane for photoporation and optically controlled hyperthermia. Our results demonstrate a new paradigm for hyperthermia research and application.

All‐Optical Thermometry Monitoring Biochemical Kinetics with NV Centers in Diamond

“…Nanodiamonds below 200 nm have been used to study the thermal responses of cells and C. elegans with temperature change $$>1$$ K under optical heating or chemical stimulation. [ 27,29–38 ] However, there is still a lack of monitoring of biochemical reactions at a resolution below 100 mK. [ 18,39 ] In this paper, we will evaluate the sensitivity and stability of diamond thermometry in the study of biochemical kinetics and demonstrate its application prospects in femtoliter chemistry.…”

Diamond Nanothermometry Using a Machine Learning Approach

“…With its ability to measure and control temperature at the nanoscale, nanothermometry has become a powerful tool for the characterization and understanding of submicrometric systems whose dynamics and performance are heavily influenced by temperature. The access to this knowledge has fostered a wide range of applications in fields such as nanomedicine, − microfluidics, and nanoelectronics, with fundamental and practical realizations ranging from thermally-driven gene expression , and cancer therapy , to temperature management in high-power microelectronics …”