Photo-damage Of Cells Stained With Gold Nanorods Stimulated By Femtosecond Laser

Bio-nanophotonics is the interface of Optics, Nanotechnology and Biomedical Research. It can be used in nano-manipulation, nano-sensing and imaging with the help of nanomaterials and optical technology. Recently, with the development of nano-manufacturing and laser technology, various of functional nanomaterials are created, such as Quantum Dot Semiconductors, Gold Nanoparticles, and Fe2O3 Magnetic Nanoparticles, etc. They are widely used in Bio-imaging, Bio-Nanosensing, Photothermal Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy, or used as the vehicle of drug delivery and gene transfection. Besides, the area of Bio-nanophotonics is becoming an imaginative area with the aid of femtosecond laser technology.In this paper, firstly review the frontiers and applications of Bio-nanophotonics and give an introduction to the nanoparticles, specifically focused on the optical properties and biocompatibility of gold nanoparticles and gold nanorods. Meanwhile, cell signal and apoptosis mechanisms are also introduced because they are the biological basis of femtosecond laser photodamage to gold nanorod-stained cells.Then give a detailed description of the interaction mechanisms and characteristics among femtosecond laser, gold nanorods and cells in vitro. Clearly show the physical and biological principle of photodamage to gold nanorod-stained cells by femtosecond laser.The last but not the least, experiments are performed to manipulate Ca²⁺-level and photodamage to cells, both increase and decrease of Ca²⁺-level were observed. It is the first time to manipulate Ca²⁺-level to decrease with femtosecond laser. In terms of photodamage, we proved that the repetition and pulse width, which determine the thermal effect of femtosecond lasers, are two key parameters to dominate photodamage to cells.The results of our research are beneficial to manipulate Ca²⁺ related cell process, for example, gene transfection and immunoregulation, and may also instructive to Photodynamic Therapy?PDT? and Photothermal Therapy?PTT?.