Issue 12, 2016

Janus particles for biological imaging and sensing

Abstract

Janus particles, named after the two-faced Roman god Janus, have different surface makeups, structures or compartments on two sides. This review highlights recent advances in employing Janus particles as novel analytical tools for live cell imaging and biosensing. Unlike conventional particles used in analytical science, two-faced Janus particles provide asymmetry and directionality, and can combine different or even incompatible properties within a single particle. The broken symmetry enables imaging and quantification of rotational dynamics, revealing information beyond what traditional measurements offer. The spatial segregation of molecules on the surface of a single particle also allows analytical functions that would otherwise interfere with each other to be decoupled, opening up opportunities for novel multimodal analytical methods. We summarize here the development of Janus particles, a few general methods for their fabrication and, more importantly, the emerging and novel applications of Janus particles as multi-functional imaging probes and sensors.

Graphical abstract: Janus particles for biological imaging and sensing

Article information

Article type
Minireview
Submitted
09 ⴱⵕⴰ 2016
Accepted
29 ⵎⴰⵕ 2016
First published
07 ⵉⴱⵔ 2016

Analyst, 2016,141, 3526-3539

Janus particles for biological imaging and sensing

Y. Yi, L. Sanchez, Y. Gao and Y. Yu, Analyst, 2016, 141, 3526 DOI: 10.1039/C6AN00325G

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