Abstract
its detailed structure remains unknown. In this work we have arrested prior to completion the usual synthesis of eumelanin formed via auto-oxidation of 3, 4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-DOPA), by the addition of copper ions. Using fluorescence techniques we report how copper modifies the self assembly of eumelanin by reducing the time to the onset of aggregation at pH 10 and yet produces simplified photophysics in terms of a clearly-defined fluorescence
spectrum and a fluorescence decay that is described well by a dominant single lifetime of ~ 6ns. This behavior isconsistent with copper inducing an enhanced abundance of 5,5-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA). Metal ion
binding to melanin is of particular importance to neurology and has potential applications in optoelectronics.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Imaging, Manipulation, and Analysis of Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues XI |
| Editors | Daniel L. Farkas, Dan V Nicolau, Robert C Leif |
| Place of Publication | San Francisco, California |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Volume | 8587 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Publication series
| Name | Progress in biomedical optics and imaging |
|---|---|
| Publisher | SPIE |
| Number | 23 |
| Volume | 14 |
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Keywords
- thioflavin T
- aggregation
- fluorescence
- L-DOPA
- copper ions
- 4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine
Cite this
}
The effect of copper on eumelanin photophysics and morphology. / Birch, David J S; Sutter, Jens.
Imaging, Manipulation, and Analysis of Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues XI. ed. / Daniel L. Farkas; Dan V Nicolau; Robert C Leif. Vol. 8587 San Francisco, California, 2013. (Progress in biomedical optics and imaging; Vol. 14, No. 23).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book
TY - GEN
T1 - The effect of copper on eumelanin photophysics and morphology
AU - Birch, David J S
AU - Sutter, Jens
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Despite being an important pigment in skin, hair, the eye and the brain, melanin remains one of the most enigmatic of pigments. Although the main constituents of melanin are known to be dihydroxyindoles, its photophysics is complex andits detailed structure remains unknown. In this work we have arrested prior to completion the usual synthesis of eumelanin formed via auto-oxidation of 3, 4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-DOPA), by the addition of copper ions. Using fluorescence techniques we report how copper modifies the self assembly of eumelanin by reducing the time to the onset of aggregation at pH 10 and yet produces simplified photophysics in terms of a clearly-defined fluorescencespectrum and a fluorescence decay that is described well by a dominant single lifetime of ~ 6ns. This behavior isconsistent with copper inducing an enhanced abundance of 5,5-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA). Metal ionbinding to melanin is of particular importance to neurology and has potential applications in optoelectronics.
AB - Despite being an important pigment in skin, hair, the eye and the brain, melanin remains one of the most enigmatic of pigments. Although the main constituents of melanin are known to be dihydroxyindoles, its photophysics is complex andits detailed structure remains unknown. In this work we have arrested prior to completion the usual synthesis of eumelanin formed via auto-oxidation of 3, 4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-DOPA), by the addition of copper ions. Using fluorescence techniques we report how copper modifies the self assembly of eumelanin by reducing the time to the onset of aggregation at pH 10 and yet produces simplified photophysics in terms of a clearly-defined fluorescencespectrum and a fluorescence decay that is described well by a dominant single lifetime of ~ 6ns. This behavior isconsistent with copper inducing an enhanced abundance of 5,5-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA). Metal ionbinding to melanin is of particular importance to neurology and has potential applications in optoelectronics.
KW - thioflavin T
KW - aggregation
KW - fluorescence
KW - L-DOPA
KW - copper ions
KW - 4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84877951382&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://spie.org/x648.html?product_id=947281
U2 - 10.1117/12.999948
DO - 10.1117/12.999948
M3 - Conference contribution book
SN - 9780819493569
VL - 8587
T3 - Progress in biomedical optics and imaging
BT - Imaging, Manipulation, and Analysis of Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues XI
A2 - Farkas, Daniel L.
A2 - Nicolau, Dan V
A2 - Leif, Robert C
CY - San Francisco, California
ER -