Fluorescent nanodiamonds in cells: uptake, biocompatibility and quantum sensing

The thesis aims to study the internalization, biocompatibility and quantum sensing of nanodiamonds in cells. First of all, in Chapter 2, we performed single cell analysis to evaluate the cellular uptake and endosomal escape of FNDs in HeLa cells and Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In Chapter 3, we coated FNDs with a pH sensitive fluorescent dye to not only improve the uptake by the cells, but also indicate the subcellular locations at different stages. In Chapter 4, we focused on the biocompatibility of FNDs in boar sperm cells. We systematically evaluated the size and concentration effect on the metabolic activity and cell viability. Later on, in Chapter 5, we conduct real-time diamond relaxometry to measure free radicals in primary bronchial epithelial cells upon stimulation with cigarette smoke extract. Finally, in Chapter 6, we discussed the importance of our work and further perspective of nanodiamond quantum sensing.