Smith Andrew M, Ruan Gang, Rhyner Matthew N, Nie Shuming
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Ann Biomed Eng. 2006 Jan;34(1):3-14. doi: 10.1007/s10439-005-9000-9. Epub 2006 Feb 1.
Semiconductor quantum dots are luminescent nanoparticles that are under intensive development for use as a new class of optical imaging contrast agents. Their novel properties such as optical tunability, improved photostability, and multicolor light emission have opened new opportunities for imaging living cells and in vivo animal models at unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution. Combined with biomolecular engineering strategies for tailoring the particle surfaces at the molecular level, bio-conjugated quantum dot probes are well suited for imaging single-molecule dynamics in living cells, for monitoring protein-protein interactions within specific intracellular locations, and for detecting diseased sites and organs in deep tissue. In this article, we describe the engineering principles for preparing high-quality quantum dots and for conjugating the dots to biomolecular ligands. We also discuss recent advances in using quantum dots for in vivo molecular and cellular imaging.
半导体量子点是发光纳米颗粒，目前正处于深入研发阶段，有望用作一类新型光学成像造影剂。它们具有诸如光学可调性、增强的光稳定性和多色发光等新颖特性，为以前所未有的灵敏度和空间分辨率对活细胞和体内动物模型进行成像开辟了新机遇。结合在分子水平上定制颗粒表面的生物分子工程策略，生物共轭量子点探针非常适合用于对活细胞中的单分子动力学进行成像、监测特定细胞内位置的蛋白质 - 蛋白质相互作用以及检测深部组织中的病变部位和器官。在本文中，我们描述了制备高质量量子点以及将量子点与生物分子配体共轭的工程原理。我们还讨论了使用量子点进行体内分子和细胞成像的最新进展。
