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Near-infrared long lifetime upconversion nanoparticles for ultrasensitive microRNA detection via time-gated luminescence resonance energy transfer

Author

Listed:
  • Suyeon Kim

    (Hanyang University
    Hanyang University)

  • Yeonkyung Park

    (Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB))

  • Jiwoo Han

    (Hanyang University
    Hanyang University)

  • Hansol Kim

    (Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB))

  • Hyowon Jang

    (Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB))

  • Sohyung Kim

    (Hanyang University
    Hanyang University)

  • Dongkyu Kang

    (Hanyang University
    Hanyang University)

  • Min-Young Lee

    (Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS))

  • Byeong-Ho Jeong

    (Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) School of Medicine)

  • Yuree Byun

    (Samsung Medical Center)

  • Eun-Kyung Lim

    (Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)
    SKKU
    University of Science and Technology (UST))

  • Juyeon Jung

    (Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)
    SKKU
    University of Science and Technology (UST))

  • Taejoon Kang

    (Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)
    SKKU)

  • Joonseok Lee

    (Hanyang University
    Hanyang University)

Abstract

Upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-based luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) biosensing offers advantages such as wash-free detection and precise biomolecule quantification. However, its sensitivity remains limited due to continuous energy transfer in co-doped UCNPs during LRET. Here we present a time-gated LRET strategy using near-infrared (NIR) long-lived luminescent UCNP donors (L-TG-LRET), achieving an 8-fold increase in luminescence lifetime without compromising emission intensity. This prolonged energy migration and transfer pathway significantly enhances sensitivity by preventing rapid Tm3+ reactivation during LRET to IRDye800 acceptors. Applying this approach to microRNA (miRNA) detection, we achieve a 17.9-fold higher sensitivity than conventional steady-state methods. Furthermore, the L-TG-LRET successfully quantifies miRNA expression in cancer cells, plasma, and exosomes, enabling the differentiation of cancer patients from healthy donors. Notably, this approach outperforms polymerase chain reaction in detecting low-abundance exosomal miRNAs. These results highlight the potential of L-TG-LRET system as a valuable tool for sensitive biomolecular detection in clinical diagnostics.

Suggested Citation

  • Suyeon Kim & Yeonkyung Park & Jiwoo Han & Hansol Kim & Hyowon Jang & Sohyung Kim & Dongkyu Kang & Min-Young Lee & Byeong-Ho Jeong & Yuree Byun & Eun-Kyung Lim & Juyeon Jung & Taejoon Kang & Joonseok L, 2025. "Near-infrared long lifetime upconversion nanoparticles for ultrasensitive microRNA detection via time-gated luminescence resonance energy transfer," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62802-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62802-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yanxin Zhang & Rongrong Wen & Jialing Hu & Daoming Guan & Xiaochen Qiu & Yunxiang Zhang & Daniel S. Kohane & Qian Liu, 2022. "Enhancement of single upconversion nanoparticle imaging by topologically segregated core-shell structure with inward energy migration," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Jian Zhou & Changyu Li & Denghao Li & Xiaofeng Liu & Zhao Mu & Weibo Gao & Jianrong Qiu & Renren Deng, 2020. "Single-molecule photoreaction quantitation through intraparticle-surface energy transfer (i-SET) spectroscopy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Byeong-Seok Moon & Tae Kyung Lee & Woo Cheol Jeon & Sang Kyu Kwak & Young-Jin Kim & Dong-Hwan Kim, 2021. "Continuous-wave upconversion lasing with a sub-10 W cm−2 threshold enabled by atomic disorder in the host matrix," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Dongkyu Kang & Hyung Shik Kim & Soohyun Han & Yeonju Lee & Young-Pil Kim & Dong Yun Lee & Joonseok Lee, 2023. "A local water molecular-heating strategy for near-infrared long-lifetime imaging-guided photothermal therapy of glioblastoma," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
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