Abstract
Single-model imaging can hardly provide sufficient information to clearly describe cellular behaviors, thus dual-model probes have been intensively studied for multiplex bio-detection and bio-imaging. Here, we developed a series of branched Au nanostructures with different surface modifications, which enabled dark-field microscopy (DFM) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging, owning to their high electromagnetic fields around the nanostructures. Moreover, we found that nanostructures modified with DNA and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide could be internalized by cells efficiently and well distributed in cells without aggregation. These results demonstrate the potential of the nanostructures in applications like cell imaging and drug delivery.