Fluorescent-functionalized graphene oxide for selective labeling of tumor cells

Fluorescence probe has attracted significant attention for biomedical imaging in recent years due to their high resolution at the cellular level. Organic-based fluorescent probes with high quantum yield are widely applied in bioimaging, but most of them suffer from a serious obstacle called aggregation-caused quenching in cellular systems. New fluorophore has been designed through functionalization of graphene oxide which emphatically exhibits aggregation-induced emission along with pH-responsive nanoprobe. Significantly higher emission of this material in slightly acidic media helps to detect tumor cell by creating a sharp contrast with the image of normal cells. The reason for pH-induced enhanced emission phenomenon is revealed through aggregation of sulfonated species in acidic media. Furthermore, the biocompatible nature of the newly developed material is found to be suitable for its application in biomedical imaging for cancer detection with better accuracy at lower cost.