Two-dimensional flow nanometry of biological nanoparticles for accurate determination of their size and emission intensity
Journal article, 2016

Biological nanoparticles (BNPs) are of high interest due to their key role in various biological processes and use as biomarkers. BNP size and composition are decisive for their functions, but simultaneous determination of both properties with high accuracy remains challenging. Optical microscopy allows precise determination of fluorescence/scattering intensity, but not the size of individual BNPs. The latter is better determined by tracking their random motion in bulk, but the limited illumination volume for tracking this motion impedes reliable intensity determination. Here, we show that by attaching BNPs to a supported lipid bilayer, subjecting them to hydrodynamic flows and tracking their motion via surface-sensitive optical imaging enable determination of their diffusion coefficients and flow-induced drifts, from which accurate quantification of both BNP size and emission intensity can be made. For vesicles, the accuracy of this approach is demonstrated by resolving the expected radius-squared dependence of their fluorescence intensity for radii down to 15 nm.

tethered vesicle

hydrodynamic-forces

single-particle tracking

targeted drug-delivery

lipid-bilayers

vesicles

endocytosis

cytometry

extracellular

microparticles

virus

entry

Author

Stephan Block

Chalmers, Physics, Biological Physics

Björn Johansson Fast

Chalmers, Physics, Biological Physics

Anders Lundgren

Chalmers, Physics, Biological Physics

Vladimir Zhdanov

Chalmers, Physics, Biological Physics

Fredrik Höök

Chalmers, Physics, Biological Physics

Nature Communications

2041-1723 (ISSN) 20411723 (eISSN)

Vol. 7 art no 12956 - 12956

Subject Categories

Condensed Matter Physics

DOI

10.1038/ncomms12956

More information

Created

10/7/2017