Fluorescent Contrast agent Based on Graphene Quantum Dots Decorated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Detecting and Sorting Cancer Cells

The inability of classic fluorescence-activated cell sorting to single cancer cell sorting is one of the most significant drawbacks of this method. The sorting of cancer cells in microdroplets significantly influences our ability to analyze cancer cell proteins.

We adapted a developed microfluidic device as a 3D in vitro model to sorted MCF-7 cancer cells on a chip. A prefabricated microfluidic droplet chip was used in this research. Then, with the help of synthesized fluorescent probes, MCF-7 cancer cells were separated from normal cells.

This research presents a modification of GQD bead for high-throughput analysis and sorting single cancer cells. We elaborate a binding assay as an example of this approach for detecting MCF-7 cancer cell lines. Graphene quantum dot-decorated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (GQD@MSNPs) act as fluorescent optical beads coated in microfluidic droplets. The fluorescent beads capture cancer cells. To enable droplet sorting at 200 Hz and cell enrichment, a measurable fluorescence signal is generated when cancer cells bind to these beads and boost the drop's fluorescence emission.

Herein, we report in vitro results showing that the as-prepared GQD@MSNs have exceptional luminous characteristics. The specific surface area and pore volume of GQD-MSNs were found to be 50% and 40% higher than those of pure MSNs, which is rather remarkable. Because of these improved qualities, GQD@MSNs are demonstrated a large sorting capacity that makes them ideal for diagnosis.