Bright single-chain conjugated polymer dots embedded nanoparticles for long-term cell tracing and imaging.

Single-chain conjugated polymer (CP) dots embedded nanoparticles (NPs) bearing cell penetration peptide (TAT) as surface ligands are synthesized for long term cancer cell tracing applications. The CPNPs are fabricated by matrix-encapsulation method and the embedded CPs can be modulated into spherical dots with different size upon alteration of feed concentrations. Single-chain CP dots are formed upon decreasing feed concentration to 0.2 mg/mL, where CPNPs exhibit highest fluorescence quantum yield of 32%. Maleimide is introduced as the new NP surface functional group, which favors easy conjugation with cell penetration peptide via click chemistry to preserve its biofunctions. The obtained CPNPs show high brightness and good biocompatibility, which allow cell tracing for over 9 generations, superior to commercial cell tracker Qtracker 585.