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Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are common cellular oxidants that when overproduced by cellular stressors cause harm to cells. Detection of ROS is of utmost importance to understanding a wide variety of cellular function and toxicity mechanisms. Conventional ROS fluorescence assays involve using a single dye to visualize the ROS quantity. Herein, we describe ROS-sensitive, fluorescent-dye-incorporated carbon dots with dual fluorescence capabilities and good biocompatibility. Carbon dots (CDs) made of citric acid and urea were synthesized with incorporated cyanine-3-amine (Cy3), a bright red fluorescent dye, to create Cy3-CDs. To get Cy3 into the ROS-sensitive form, this work demonstrated that Cy3 alone and Cy3 within carbon dots can be electrochemically reduced to their colorless ROS-sensitive form. Cy3, CDs, and Cy3-CDs are all responsive to additions of superoxide, leading to an increase in the fluorescence. Overall, this work examines how O2•– and additional oxidizers interact with CDs, Cy3, and Cy3-CDs, and molecular-level hypotheses are explored that will inform the design of future carbon dot-based ROS sensors. 

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be quantified using fluorescence, electrochemical, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques. Detection of ROS is critical in a wide range of chemical and biological systems. 

Video games and immersive, narrative experiences are often called upon to help students understand difficult scientific concepts, such as sense of scale. However, the development of educational video games requires expertise and, frequently, a sizable budget. Here, we report on the use of an interactive text-style video game, NanoAdventure, to communicate about sense of scale and nanotechnology to the public. NanoAdventure was developed on an open-source, free-to-use platform with simple coding and enhanced with free or low-cost assets. NanoAdventure was launched in three languages (English, Spanish, Chinese) and compared to textbook-style and blog-style control texts in a randomized study. Participants answered questions on their knowledge of nanotechnology and their attitudes toward nanotechnology before and after reading one randomly assigned text (textbook, blog, or NanoAdventure game). Our results demonstrate that interactive fiction is effective in communicating about sense of scale and nanotechnology as well as the relevance of nanotechnology to a general public. NanoAdventure was found to be the most “fun” and easy to read of all text styles by participants in a randomized trial. Here, we make the case for interactive “Choose Your Own Adventure” style games as another effective tool among educational game models for chemistry and science communication.