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RUDN scientists developed biocompatible nanothermometers without the use of rare earth elements

RUDN scientists developed biocompatible nanothermometers without the use of rare earth elements

Today, most similar highly sensitive thermometers use rare-earth elements, such as europium or terbium, because of their luminescent properties. RUDN researchers together with scientists from ITMO University and the A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology have proposed alternative innovative nanothermometers based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which do not contain rare-earth elements.

The new biomaterial will enable precise temperature monitoring during surgeries, diagnose inflammatory processes and be used in the development of other smart biomaterials.

“A new class of MOF-materials was synthesized based on zinc ions (biocompatible metal), organic ligand H₄TBAPy using innovative topological design (2D and 3D structures). The synthesized porous crystal structures have a record sensitivity of up to 2.12% K-¹, a wide temperature range of 7-300 K (-266 °C to +27 °C), and full biocompatibility. The possibility of real-time visualization and tracking is also incorporated,” — Alexander Novikov, researcher at RUDN Joint Institute for Chemical Research.

The advantage of the developed highly sensitive nanothermometers over analogs is as follows:

  • Do not contain rare earth elements.
  • Possess an optimal porous structure due to the topological design.
  • Both 2D and 3D configurations can be created.

“To test the efficacy of MOF nanoparticles, we injected them intracardiacally and through the digestive system into transparent Casper fish. The experiment demonstrated 100% survival rate of the organism after the introduction of the substance, which indicates the absence of toxicity and is confirmed by MTT tests and immunohistochemistry. Also, the drug allowed us to accurately measure the temperature of internal organs — the color of luminescence changed from green to blue when cooling from 30 to 0 °C, which allowed us to monitor the temperature of organs in vivo,” — Alexander Novikov, researcher at RUDN Joint Institute for Chemical Research.

The results are published in Advanced Functional magazine.

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