Cellular uptake of PLA nanoparticles studied by light and electron microscopy: synthesis, characterization and biocompatibility studies using an iridium(III) complex as correlative label

Reifarth, Martin; Pretzel, David; Schubert, Stephanie; Weber, Christine; Heintzmann, Rainer; Höppener, Stephanie; Schubert, Ulrich S.

Abstract:

We present the synthesis of polylactide by ring-opening polymerization using a luminescent iridium(III) complex acting as initiator. The polymer was formulated into nanoparticles, which were taken up by HEK-293 cells. We could show that the particles provided an appropriate contrast in both superresolution fluorescence and electron microscopy, and, moreover, are non-toxic, in contrast to the free iridium complex.

Research areas:

• Nanotechnology

Year:

2016

Type of Publication:

Article

Journal:

Chemical Communications

Volume:

52

Pages:

4361 - 4364

DOI:

10.1039/C5CC09884J