Web Release Date: November 6,
Compact Cysteine-Coated CdSe(ZnCdS) Quantum Dots for in Vivo Applications
and
Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, Division of Hematology/Oncology and Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
Received May 25, 2007
Abstract:
We have developed a versatile nanoparticle construct using a compact cysteine coating on a CdSe(ZnCdS) core(shell) nanocrystal (QD-Cys) that is biologically compatible, exceptionally compact, highly fluorescent, and easily functionalized. The small hydrodynamic diameter of QD-Cys (~6 nm) allows for renal clearance of these nanoparticles in rat models. Moreover, the ability to directly conjugate to QD-Cys opens up the possibility of functionalized nanocrystals for in vivo targeted imaging, in which small targeting molecules can be appended to QD-Cys, and unbound QDs can be rapidly cleared to achieve high signal/noise ratios and to reduce background toxicity.
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