A plug-and-play ratiometric pH-sensing nanoprobe for high-throughput investigation of endosomal escape

Abstract

An important aspect in the design of nanomaterials for delivery is an understanding of its uptake and ultimate release to the cytosol of target cells. Real-time chemical sensing using a nanoparticle-based platform affords exquisite insight into the trafficking of materials and their cargo into cells. This versatile and tunable technology provides a powerful tool to probe the mechanism of cellular entry and cytosolic delivery of a variety of materials, allowing for a simple and convenient means to screen materials towards efficient delivery of therapeutics such as nucleic acids.