Invited Talk - Carbon Nanotubes As Near-Infrared Fluorescence Biosensors of Intracellular Trafficking and Wound Monitoring

A challenge of particular interest in the fields of biosensing and bioimaging is the acquisition of real-time readouts of localized bioanalyte concentration through biomaterials and live tissue in a minimally-invasive fashion. The intrinsic fluorescence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), which exhibits exceptional photostability, near-infrared (NIR) material-penetrating emission, and microenvironmental sensitivity, makes them ideal candidates for a variety of biomedical imaging and sensing applications. By functionalizing SWCNTs with appropriate biopolymers, we can simultaneously impart biocompatibility and sensitivity for certain biomolecules of interest. Using several novel spectroscopy, microscopy, and material processing approaches, this talk features our recent advances in the development of such engineered nanomaterials as NIR fluorescence biosensors. In particular, we have created in vitro sensors of endosomal trafficking in addition to the creation of microfiber-encapsulated SWCNTs for the real-time optical detection of oxidative stress in a wearable device.