Description
General Description
PLGA-PEG-FITC is a fluorescent biodegradable block copolymer consisting of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), a hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacer, and a terminal fluorescein (FITC) fluorophore.
The hydrophobic PLGA block provides a biodegradable polymer domain suitable for encapsulating hydrophobic compounds and forming polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, and other self-assembled nanostructures. The PEG segment improves aqueous dispersibility and colloidal stability while positioning the fluorescent group away from the hydrophobic PLGA domain.
FITC provides characteristic green fluorescence and is widely used for fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, cellular uptake studies, and nanoparticle tracking. Covalent attachment of the fluorescent group to PLGA-PEG allows the polymer itself to be tracked and reduces the potential for rapid dye leakage associated with physically encapsulated fluorescent probes.
PLGA-PEG-FITC is particularly useful for investigating nanoparticle formation, cellular internalization, intracellular trafficking, biodistribution, drug delivery, and interactions between polymeric nanocarriers and biological systems.
Applications
- Fluorescent PLGA nanoparticles
- Polymeric micelle preparation
- Nanoparticle tracking
- Cellular uptake studies
- Fluorescence microscopy
- Confocal microscopy
- Flow cytometry
- Intracellular trafficking studies
- Biodistribution research
- Drug delivery research
- Biomaterials research
Features and Benefits
- Biodegradable PLGA block
- Hydrophilic PEG spacer
- Covalently attached fluorescein label
- Green fluorescence
- Suitable for nanoparticle tracking
- Useful for cellular uptake studies
- Suitable for fluorescence imaging
- Tunable PLGA and PEG molecular weights
- Tunable lactide ratio
- Custom compositions available
