Fig. 3

Competitive labeling of MPs with TAMRA dye. Peptide-conjugated MPs and azide-functionalized MPs without conjugated peptides were labeled with TAMRA dye. (A, D) Control particle clumps having free azide groups showed noticeably higher fluorescence under the microscope. MPs conjugated to p-IPL (B, E) and p-LPS (C, F) showed no fluorescence under the microscope. Top images were taken in the fluorescence mode using TRITC filter and bottom images were taken in the bright field mode to confirm the presence of particles and clumps of particles. (Scale bars = 50 µm)