Biocompatible single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are internalized into the endosomal pathway of live cells where they encounter harsh conditions including low pH and hydrolytic enzymes. We are using the combination of visible and near-infrared fluorescence in addition to confocal Raman microscopy to investigate the physical identities and optical properties of various functionalized SWCNTs as they encounter such biological environments.

The colocalization of individual cells containing SWCNTs in two distinct microscopy platforms, i.e. hyperspectral NIR fluorescence and confocal Raman, enables us to uncover novel correlations dictating the intracellular processing of nanomaterials.