Abstract

Conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPN) are exceptionally fluorescent, nanoparticulate, labelling probes that are being utilised in cellular imaging and diagnostics applications. Derived from visual display technology, these nanoparticles are highly stable in a wide range of pH and temperatures, and produce a very intense light emission that does not photobleach, allowing significantly more sensitive detection of analytes than other fluorophores in techniques such as immunocytochemistry, ELISA and flow cytometry. Their greater stability also makes the results highly reproducible. The CPNs can be taken up by cells through endocytosis or targeted to specific regions by linking them to antibodies, proteins, nucleotides or other targeting moieties. CPNs match standard fluorescent filters and laser lines, and are available in a range of wavelengths covering the visible spectrum including the near-IR. Near-IR imaging in clinical settings has been limited to date, and CPNs, such as CPN1150, promises higher contrast, sensitivity, and tissue penetration depths, potentially enhancing contact-free monitoring of vital signs, generation of microvasculature blood flow maps, real-time metabolic imaging, and molecularly targeted imaging.