Talib, Ansam Jameel (2018-05). NOVEL OPTICAL PROBES FOR BIOSENSING. Doctoral Dissertation. Thesis uri icon

abstract

  • Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are popular fluorescent probes for biological systems because of their immunity to autofluorescence background, photostability, and low toxicity. Nanodiamonds are also of interest for photostability and ultra-low toxicity. Finally, spectroscopic detection of certain dyes and Raman scattering spectroscopy also have biosensing applications. In this thesis, all approaches were investigated. In particular, upconversion nanoparticles with VO4 were useful for sensing glucose without surface- functionalization and for reversibility. Applications of the technique for sensing glucose in persons with diabetes was proposed. Fabrication of UCNPs was optimized, and preliminary experiments initiated with red blood cell membranes and plants. Nanodiamonds and organic dyes were also used with red blood cell membranes. To optimize the use of our custom made nanoparticles in plants, we need to reduce their sizes while maintaining an appropriate level of brightness. This necessitated a tool that can measure brightness and size at the same time. For this, we built a custom confocal microscope and AFM combination.

publication date

  • May 2018