Development and characterization of PEBBLE nanosensors for transition metal ions.

Abstract

Transition metal selective ionophore and sensor development has been of great interest considering the biological and environmental importance associated with them. The development of small optical devices has allowed real-time intracellular measurements and imaging of ionic analytes and here I present the development of optical nanosensors selective to Zn<super>2+ </super>, Cu<super>2+/+</super> and Fe<super>3+</super>. The sensors are based on both commercially available dyes, like Newport Green and Alexa Fluor 488, and a fluorescent protein, tetramer DsRed. Some of the recognition elements are common labeling agents, but have now been found to have nanomolar sensitivities with excellent selectivities in the presence of other metal ions.