Fluorescent labeling of materials using silica nanoparticles

Abstract The article is focused on the implementation of fluorescent silica nanoparticles in the laboratory curriculum. Along with a brief overview of experimental procedures appropriate for teaching in the laboratory and scarce examples of utilization of silica nanoparticles in the laboratory instruction, a new mini-laboratory course is described in detail. The series of the developed experiments allow the students to synthesize silica nanoparticles, place organic functionalities on their surface, and explore nanoparticles as labels and building blocks for nanoassemblies. Introduction of students to the art of using the most popular specific interaction in nanomedicine (avidin-biotin), along with synthesis and manipulation of nanoparticles, will help them bridge their existing or future knowledge of organic chemistry, materials science, and nanomedicine. The experiment is beneficial for students’ understanding of the relationship between organic chemistry, materials science, and nanomedicine, regardless of their level of expertise in those fields.