FRET Ratiometric Nanoprobes for Nanoparticle Monitoring

Fluorescence labelling is often used for tracking nanoparticles, providing a convenient assay for monitoring nanoparticle drug delivery. However, it is difficult to be quantitative, as many factors affect the fluorescence intensity. Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET), taking advantage of the energy transfer from a donor fluorophore to an acceptor fluorophore, provides a distance ruler to probe NP drug delivery. This article provides a review of different FRET approaches for the ratiometric monitoring of the self-assembly and formation of nanoparticles, their in vivo fate, integrity and drug release. We anticipate that the fundamental understanding gained from these ratiometric studies will offer new insights into the design of new nanoparticles with improved and better-controlled properties.

Automated summary

The use of fluorescence labelling is common for tracking nanoparticles in drug delivery, but quantification can be challenging due to various factors. Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) provides a distance ruler for probing NP drug delivery by utilizing energy transfer between donor and acceptor fluorophores. Different FRET approaches discussed in the article offer insights into the design of improved nanoparticles with controlled properties.