Fluorescent Markers: Proteins and Nanocrystals

This book chapter will comment on fluorescent reporter proteins and nanocrystals’ applicability as fluorescent markers. Fluorescent reporter proteins in the Drosophila model system offer a degree of specificity that allows monitoring cellular and biochemical phenomena in vivo, such as autophagy, mitophagy, and changes in the redox state of cells. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocrystals (NCs) have several biological applications and emit in the ultraviolet, with doping of europium ions can be visualized in the red luminescence. Therefore, it is possible to monitor nanocrystals in biological systems using different emission channels. CdSe/CdS magic-sized quantum dots (MSQDs) show high luminescence stability in biological systems and can be bioconjugated with biological molecules. Therefore, this chapter will show exciting results of the group using fluorescent proteins and nanocrystals in biological systems

Development of Ag-ZnO/AgO Nanocomposites Effectives for Leishmania braziliensis Treatment

Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. Leishmania braziliensis (L.b) is one of the most clinically relevant pathogens that affects the skin and mucosa, causing single or multiple disfiguring and life-threatening injuries. Even so, the few treatment options for patients have significant toxicity, high dropout rates, high cost, and the emergence of resistant strains, which implies the need for studies to promote new and better treatments to combat the disease. Zinc oxide nanocrystals are microbicidal and immunomodulatory agents. Here, we develop new Ag-ZnO/xAgO nanocomposites (NCPs) with three different percentages of silver oxide (AgO) nanocrystals (x = 49%, 65%, and 68%) that could act as an option for tegumentary leishmaniasis treatment. Our findings showed that 65% and 68% of AgO inhibit the extra and intracellular replication of L.b. and present a high selectivity index. Ag-ZnO/65%AgO NCPs modulate activation, expression of surface receptors, and cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells toward a proinflammatory phenotype. These results point to new Ag-ZnO/AgO nanocomposites as a promising option for L. braziliensis treatment