Optically Triggering and Monitoring Single-Cell-Level Metabolism Using Ormosil-Decorated Ultrathin Fibers

Abstract

The integration of biological components and artificial devices requires a bio−machine interface that can simultaneously trigger and monitor the activities in biosystems. Herein, we use an organically modified silicate (ormosil) composite coating containing a light-responsive nanocapsule and a fluorescent bioprobe for reactive oxygen species (ROS) to decorate ultrathin optical fibers, namely, ormosil-decorated ultrathin fibers (OD-UFs), and demonstrate that these OD-UFs can optically trigger and monitor the intracellular metabolism activities in living cells. The sizes and shapes of UF tips were finely controlled to match the dimension and mechanical properties of living cells. The increased elasticity of the ormosil coating of OD-UFs reduces possible mechanical damage during the cell membrane penetration. The light-responsive nanocapsule was physically absorbed on the surface of the ormosil coating and could release a stimulant to trigger the metabolism activities in cells upon the guided laser through OD-UFs. The fluorescent bioprobe was covalently linked with the ormosil matrix for monitoring the intracellular ROS generation, which was verified by the in vitro experiments on the microdroplets of a hydrogen peroxide solution. Finally, we found that the living cells could maintain most of their viability after being inserted with OD-UFs, and the intracellular metabolism activities were successfully triggered and monitored at the single-cell level. The OD-UF provides a new platform for the investigation of intracellular behaviors for drug stimulations and represents a new proof of concept for a bio−machine interface based on the optical and chemical activities of organic functional molecules.

Tunability of Hybrid Silica Xerogels: Surface Chemistry and Porous Texture Based on the Aromatic Precursor

“…Organic-inorganic hybrid materials continue to arouse interest today because the synergy between both components bestows them with unique properties suitable for various applications [1][2][3][4]. Among these hybrid materials, organically modified silicates, or ORMOSILs, stand out for their diversity of morphologies, porous textures and surface chemistries, making them versatile candidates for use as coatings for materials [5][6][7], and as chemical membranes for optical fibre sensors [8][9][10].…”