RGD-decorated conjugated polymer particles as fluorescent biomedical probes prepared by Sonogashira dispersion polymerization

Here, we present a facile one-step Sonogashira dispersion polymerization affording monodisperse conjugated polymer particles bearing accessible acetylene moieties on the surface. These acetylene groups are easily functionalized with biological recognition motifs using thiolyne click chemistry. The resulting functional particles are applied as fluorescent probes for imaging of activated endothelial cells, which take up the particles via receptor mediated endocytosis.