Intermolecular energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ in aqueous aggregates and on the surface of human cells

Efficient intermolecular energy transfer from carbostyril 124-sensitized Tb(3+) to Eu(3+) in aqueous aggregates is reported. This energy transfer was also recapitulated on the cell surface of a human kidney cell line (HEK-293T) and imaged by fluorescence microscopy as an example for the applicability of this energy transfer probe for imaging in biological systems.