2024 article

Development of Optical Nanosensors for Detection of Potassium Ions and Assessment of Their Biocompatibility with Corneal Epithelial Cells

Dewey, H. M., Mahmood, N., Abello, S. M., Sultana, N., Jones, J., Gluck, J. M., & Budhathoki-Uprety, J. (2024, June 11). ACS OMEGA.

UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Source: Web Of Science
Added: June 24, 2024

Imbalance of potassium-ion levels in the body can lead to physiological dysfunctions, which can adversely impact cardiovascular, neurological, and ocular health. Thus, quantitative measurement of potassium ions in a biological system is crucial for personal health monitoring. Nanomaterials can be used to aid in disease diagnosis and monitoring therapies. Optical detection technologies along with molecular probes emitting within the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range are advantageous for biological measurements due to minimal interference from light scattering and autofluorescence within this spectral window. Herein, we report the development of NIR fluorescent nanosensors, which can quantitatively detect potassium ions under biologically relevant conditions. The optical nanosensors were developed by using photoluminescent single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) encapsulated in polymers that contain potassium chelating moieties. The nanosensors, polystyrene sulfonate [PSS-SWCNTs, nanosensor 1 (NS1)] or polystyrene-