Au Bipyramids as NIR-II Contrast Agents for In Vivo Plant Imaging

Authors

• Luis D.B. Manuel, Cain Department of Chemical Engineering
• Debarati Basu, Louisiana State University
• Mary Beth Rollins, Louisiana State University
• Vinoin Devpaul Vincely, Tulane University School of Science and Engineering
• Pelham Keahey, Harvard Medical School
• Martin Villiger, Harvard Medical School
• Carolyn L. Bayer, Tulane University School of Science and Engineering

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-3-2025

Abstract

In vivo plant imaging is crucial for understanding plant biology and the influence of external factors on plant health. While exogenous contrast agents are widely used in animal bioimaging to enhance contrast, track flows, and provide molecular specificity, their application in plant tissue remains challenging and underexplored. Herein, we highlight the shortcomings of contrast agents in optical coherence tomography of plant tissue while demonstrating the successful use of Au bipyramids (AuBPs) as effective NIR-II contrast agents in photoacoustic imaging, enabling spatiotemporal flow tracking in live Buttercrunch lettuce over 5 days. Furthermore, rigorous plant health studies showed no adverse effects of the AuBPs on the physiological properties of Buttercrunch lettuce 7 days postinfiltration. The use of AuBPs as contrast agents in plant imaging, combined with the versatility of their surface chemistry, opens the possibilities for studies with molecular specificity.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

First Page

49183

Last Page

49192

Recommended Citation

Manuel, L., Basu, D., Rollins, M., Vincely, V., Keahey, P., Villiger, M., & Bayer, C. (2025). Au Bipyramids as NIR-II Contrast Agents for In Vivo Plant Imaging. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 17 (35), 49183-49192. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c08908