Glycan-Functionalized Fluorescent Chitin Nanocrystals for Biorecognition Applications

A new platform based on chitin nanocrystals has been developed for biorecognition applications. TEMPO-oxidized chitin nanocrystals (TCNs) were labeled with a fluorescent imidazoisoquinolinone dye, and simultaneously conjugated with carbohydrate ligands, resulting in dually functionalized TCNs. The biorecognition properties of the nanocrystals were probed with lectins and bacteria, resulting in selective interactions with their corresponding cognate carbohydrate-binding proteins, as visualized by optical, fluorescence, STEM, and TEM imaging. This represents a new approach to multifunctional nanomaterials based on naturally occurring polymers, holding high potential for biomedical applications.