AUTHOR=Smith Poppy O. , Black Dominic J. , Pal Robert , Avó João , Dias Fernando B. , Linthwaite Victoria L. , Cann Martin J. , Pålsson Lars-Olof TITLE=Applying TADF Emitters in Bioimaging and Sensing—A Novel Approach Using Liposomes for Encapsulation and Cellular Uptake JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry VOLUME=9 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2021.743928 DOI=10.3389/fchem.2021.743928 ISSN=2296-2646 ABSTRACT=

A new method for facilitating the delivery, uptake and intracellular localisation of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) complexes was developed. First, confinement of TADF complexes in liposomes was demonstrated, which were subsequently used as the delivery vehicle for cellular uptake. Confocal fluorescence microscopy showed TADF complexes subsequently localise in the cytoplasm of HepG2 cells. The procedures developed in this work included the removal of molecular oxygen in the liposome preparation without disrupting the liposome structures. Time-resolved fluorescence microscopy (point scanning) showed initial prompt fluorescence followed by a weak, but detectable, delayed fluorescence component for liposomal TADF internalised in HepG2 cells. By demonstrating that it is possible to deliver un-functionalised and/or unshielded TADF complexes, a sensing function for TADFs, such as molecular oxygen, can be envisaged.