Yellow-Emitting Carbon Dots for Selective Fluorescence Imaging of Lipid Droplets in Living Cells

This study shows a one-pot preparation of carbon dots by a solvothermal method in ethylene glycol. The carbon dots show yellow-colored fluorescence emission in water. The carbon dots showed distinct preference to be present in the hydrophobic environment which was evident from their efficient transfer from aqueous phase to organic phase. They were also found to locate themselves in the vesicle bilayer and micelle core. This inherent lipophilic character of these carbon dots has been successfully utilized for the selective imaging of lipid droplets inside the living cells. The selective imaging of lipid droplets was confirmed by similar staining patterns with other staining dyes and the starvation study.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the one-step preparation of lipophilic carbon dots and their usage in selectively imaging lipid droplets. This provides a new approach for studying lipid droplets inside living cells.