Thermally sensitive dual fluorescent polymeric micelles for probing cell properties

Abstract

Dual fluorescent micelles with a hydrophobic probe (HMA) embedded in the micelle core and a hydrophilic probe (TRITC) attached on the micelle corona were prepared. These micelles can act as nanometre-sized thermal sensors. Within a short temperature range, the fluorescent emission of the micelles changes strongly and reversibly as a function of temperature. These micelles can be easily taken up by human HeLa cells and can potentially be used as intracellular thermometers.