Berlin 2015 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 2: Neurophysics I

BP 2.7: Talk

Monday, March 16, 2015, 11:00–11:15, H 1058

Spatiotemporal imaging of neurotransmitter release using near infrared fluorescent carbon nanotube probes — •Sebastian Kruss — Institut für Physikalische Chemie / Universität Göttingen

Neurotransmitters are central for chemical communication between (neuronal) cells. So far there are no analytical tools available to spatially detect or image neurotransmitters. Therefore, the chemical events in synapses and neural circuits remain largely unexplored. Optical nanoscaled sensors/probes could provide non-invasive, fast, high-resolution and parallel imaging of neurotransmitters. Nanomaterials are promising building blocks for such probes. For example, semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are hollow cylinders of one-atom-thick sheets of carbon. They provide an intrinsic bandgap, which results in near infrared (nIR) fluorescence (900-1600 nm) that is beneficial for biomedical applications. The molecular environment of SWCNTs strongly affects their nIR-fluorescence, which can be used for molecular recognition and signal transduction. We have developed carbon nanotube-based label-free fluorescent sensors/probes for neurotransmitters. These probes change their fluorescence in the presence of neurotransmitters. Parallel imaging of many of those probes provides an image that corresponds to the neurotransmitter concentration. We also demonstrate spatiotemporal imaging of dopamine release from cells during exocytosis. In summary, this method enables chemical imaging in biological systems and can provide completely new insights into communication between cells.