Overview

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polymer with good biocompatibility and water solubility. Its use in modifying upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) can improve the surface properties of nanoparticles, increase their stability and dispersion in aqueous solution, reduce immunogenicity, and prolong the circulation time in vivo. With the continuous development of nanotechnology and the improvement of the requirements for disease diagnosis and treatment, multifunctionalized nanomaterials have become a research hotspot. PEG-coated UCNPs can not only be used for bio-imaging but also can be loaded with drugs, connected to targeted molecules, etc. to achieve the integration of diagnosis and treatment of diseases, which provides new tools and strategies for precision medicine.

Elevate Your Research with Our Top-Quality PEG-coated UCNP Production

CD BioGlyco uses the advanced GlycoNano™ Platform to provide expert Glyconanoparticle Development Services, including but not limited to the production of Carbohydrate-based Nanoparticles, Gold Glyconanoparticles, Silver Glyconanoparticles, Magnetic Glyconanoparticles, Quantum Dot (QD) Glyconanoparticles, and PEG Glyconanoparticles. Among them, our PEG-coated UCNPs production service has received favorable comments from clients. The details of our PEG-coated UCNPs production service are as follows.

Synthesis of PEG-coated UCNP

We select UCNPs suitable for synthesis, such as NaYF4-doped Yb and Er nanoparticles. PEG can be immobilized more efficiently by combining with functionalized polymers, such as poly(vinyl alcohol)-poly(acrylic acid) (PEG-b-PAA). The introduction of PEG reduces the aggregation of the nanoparticles and improves their water solubility in biological applications. Therefore, to achieve PEG coating, we use different polymers for surface modification. Subsequently, we mix UCNPs with functionalized polymers (e.g., polymers containing phosphate, carboxylic acid, or sulfonic acid groups) for ligand exchange. Typically, we mix the UCNPs and polymers in THF and then incubate them overnight at 40°C, followed by purification by centrifugation. The PEG-coated upconversion nanoparticles we provide include but are not limited to:

• PEG-coated Upconversion Nanoparticle Production Service (980nm Excitation/808 Excitation Red Light)
• PEG-coated Upconversion Nanoparticle Production Service (980nm Excitation/Blue-Violet Excitation)
• PEG-coated Upconversion Nanoparticle Production Service (980nm Excitation/808 Excitation Green Light)
• PEG-coated Upconversion Nanoparticle Production Service (980nm Excitation)
• PEG-coated Water Soluble Upconversion Nanoparticle Production Service

Stability Test

First, we use the dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique to determine the particle size and size distribution of nanoparticles in different media; stable particle size and size distribution without obvious changes indicate good stability, while on the contrary, there may be an agglomeration phenomenon. At the same time, we visually observe the dispersion in water, MES, and PBS buffer at different time intervals, with or without precipitation or agglomeration. In addition, we monitored the fluorescence properties, including fluorescence intensity and emission peak positions, with the aid of fluorescence spectrometry, and stable particles should maintain relatively constant fluorescence properties. Surface chemical analysis, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), can also be performed to detect the presence of PEG on the surface of the particles and changes in the chemical structure. Colloid stability is assessed by measuring the zeta potential, with higher absolute values generally representing better stability. The morphology is observed with the aid of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the presence of agglomerates or changes in morphology.

Workflow

The flowchart of our PEG-coated UCNPs production service is as follows.

Applications

• PEG-coated UCNPs are capable of labeling specific structures or molecules within the cell, such as organelles, proteins, etc., which help to study the physiological and pathological processes of cells.
• PEG-coated UCNPs can be combined with other imaging techniques (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, etc.) to achieve multimodal imaging and provide more comprehensive and accurate biological information.
• PEG-coated UCNPs can be used to detect biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and small-molecule metabolites, by reflecting the concentration and presence of biomolecules through luminescence changes in the nanoparticles.

Advantages

• Our advanced production methods enable precise tuning of the size and morphology of the nanoparticles, resulting in desirable optical properties, biocompatibility, in vivo distribution, and metabolic properties.
• Our efficient production process allows for large-scale synthesis and increased product yields to meet your needs.
• We monitor the quality parameters of the nanoparticles in real-time during the production process utilizing advanced testing and analyzing methods and adjust the process parameters in time to ensure the stability of product quality.

Publication Data

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which type of PEG to choose for best results?
  Factors such as molecular weight, chain length, and end group functionality should be considered when selecting the type of PEG. Generally speaking, the type of PEG with moderate molecular weight, appropriate chain length, and good biocompatibility and reactivity is more effective. The specific selection needs to be optimized according to the specific application requirements and experimental results.
• How does the production process affect the biocompatibility of nanoparticles?
  Firstly, the chemical reagents and solvents used in the reaction process may be toxic if there are residuals, which may have adverse effects on organisms and reduce the biocompatibility of nanoparticles. Secondly, improper control of parameters such as temperature, pressure, and reaction time during the production process may lead to uneven crystallinity and particle size distribution of the nanoparticles, which in turn affects their stability and degradation properties in the organism.

CD BioGlyco takes pride in presenting to you our outstanding PEG-coated UCNPs production service. Our group of highly proficient experts and cutting-edge facilities guarantee the manufacture of superior-quality PEG-coated UCNPs, having precise control over size, morphology, and coating attributes. If you are interested in our service, do not hesitate to contact us!