Open AccessdsDNA-coated quantum dots
Author(s) -
Xing Ming,
Huaibin Shen,
Wei Zhao,
Yanfei Liu,
Yingda Du,
Ziyou Yu,
Xia Chen
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
biotechniques/biotechniques
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.617
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1940-9818
pISSN - 0736-6205
DOI - 10.2144/000113650
Subject(s) - quantum dot , biotin , streptavidin , fluorescence , steric effects , biosensor , thiol , chemistry , nanotechnology , biophysics , materials science , biochemistry , stereochemistry , biology , physics , quantum mechanics
Because of their unique spectral properties, quantum dots (QDs) have recently proved useful as fluorescent labels for biosensing probes. We developed a versatile QD label by modifying dsDNA with biotin and thiol groups at opposite ends and attaching it to quantum dots via a metal-thiol bond. These dsDNA-coated QDs fluorescently label their targets through biotin-streptavidin binding and show excellent histological results when used to detect biotin-labeled chromosome probes. The dsDNA coating also circumvented the common problems of aggregation and steric hindrance that occur with other QD probes.