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Targeted bioimaging and sensing of folate receptor-positive cancer cells using folic acid-conjugated sulfur-doped graphene quantum dots

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Abstract

For the first time is reported a facile in situ synthesis of folic acid-conjugated sulfur-doped graphene quantum dots (FA-SGQDs) through simple pyrolysis of citric acid (CA), 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), and FA. The as-prepared FA-SGQDs were extensively characterized to confirm the synthesis and incidence of FA molecule on the surface of SGQDs through advanced characterization techniques. Upon excitation at 370-nm wavelength, FA-SGQDs exhibited blue fluorescence with an emission band at 455 nm. While exhibiting relatively high quantum yield (~ 78%), favorable biocompatibility, excellent photostability, and desirable optical properties, the FA-SGQDs showed suitability as a fluorescent nanoprobe to distinguish the folate receptor (FR)-positive and FR-negative cancer cells. The experimental studies revealed that FA-SGQDs aptly entered into FR-positive cancer cells via a non-immunogenic FR-mediated endocytosis process. Additionally, the FA-SGQDs exhibited excellent free radical scavenging activity. Hence, these FA-SGQDs hold high promise to serve as efficient fluorescent nanoprobes for the pre-diagnosis of cancer through targeted bioimaging and other pertinent biological studies.

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Acknowledgments

The first author thankfully acknowledges the MHRD, Government of India, for facilitating the doctoral scholarship. Authors sincerely thank the staff of the Centre of Nanotechnology and Institute Instrumentation Centre (IIC), IIT Roorkee, for helping in advanced characterizations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Polymer and Process Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India

    Sachin Kadian & Gaurav Manik

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India

    Neeladrisingha Das & Partha Roy

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  1. Sachin Kadian
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Correspondence to Gaurav Manik.

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Kadian, S., Manik, G., Das, N. et al. Targeted bioimaging and sensing of folate receptor-positive cancer cells using folic acid-conjugated sulfur-doped graphene quantum dots. Microchim Acta 187, 458 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-020-04448-8

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