SHG nanoprobes: advancing harmonic imaging in biology

Bioessays. 2012 May;34(5):351-60. doi: 10.1002/bies.201100106. Epub 2012 Mar 6.

Abstract

Second harmonic generating (SHG) nanoprobes have recently emerged as versatile and durable labels suitable for in vivo imaging, circumventing many of the inherent drawbacks encountered with classical fluorescent probes. Since their nanocrystalline structure lacks a central point of symmetry, they are capable of generating second harmonic signal under intense illumination - converting two photons into one photon of half the incident wavelength - and can be detected by conventional two-photon microscopy. Because the optical signal of SHG nanoprobes is based on scattering, rather than absorption as in the case of fluorescent probes, they neither bleach nor blink, and the signal does not saturate with increasing illumination intensity. When SHG nanoprobes are used to image live tissue, the SHG signal can be detected with little background signal, and they are physiologically inert, showing excellent long-term photostability. Because of their photophysical properties, SHG nanoprobes provide unique advantages for molecular imaging of living cells and tissues with unmatched sensitivity and temporal resolution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Barium Compounds / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins*
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Photons
  • Signal-To-Noise Ratio
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman / methods
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman / standards
  • Titanium / chemistry

Substances

  • Barium Compounds
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • barium titanate(IV)
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Titanium