Fabrication of stable and biocompatible red fluorescent glycopolymer nanoparticles for cellular imaging

Glycosylated cross-linked red fluorescent amphiphilic polymer has been facilely synthesized in one pot, which would readily self-assemble into nanoparticles with high water dispersibility in aqueous media. The resulted nanoparticles have surplus carboxyl groups and glycosyl groups on the surface, which can be further functionalized, and they can demonstrate strong bio-favorable red fluorescence with a fluorescence quantum yield of 18% due to the aggregation induced emission (AIE) dyes aggregated in the core. Moreover, the nanoparticles also revealed great photostability and structure stability with an ultralow critical micelle concentration of 0.0018 mg mL^-1. Their excellent biocompatibility and cell uptake behavior make them promising for cellular imaging.