Multiscale photoacoustic tomography of a genetically encoded near-infrared FRET biosensor

Abstract

Photoacoustic tomography with genetically encoded near-infrared probes enables visualization of specific cell populations in vivo at high resolution in deep tissues. Here, we report a near-infrared Forster resonance energy transfer biosensor based on a pair of the near-infrared fluorescent proteins, miRFP670-iRFP720, which enables dynamic photoacoustic imaging of active biological processes. Specifically, we detected apoptosis in single cells at a resolution of ~3 µm in a mouse ear and mouse brain tumors (>3 mm in depth) at a spatial resolution of ~150 µm. These results open the way for high-resolution photoacoustic imaging of dynamic biological processes in deep tissues.

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