水溶性CdTe量子点的合成及其用于荧光猝灭法测定肌红蛋白

以3-巯基丙酸为稳定剂,合成了具有特殊光学性质的水溶性CdTe量子点,其最大发射波长位于544 nm.利用荧光光谱、紫外可见光谱及圆二色光谱法系统的研究了CdTe量子点与肌红蛋白(Mb)二者结合前后体系光谱的变化,从而证实了CdTe量子点与Mb之间静电结合反应的特征.在pH 7.0的PBS缓冲液中,用CdTe量子点作为荧光探针研究了肌红蛋白与量子点的相互作用,并基于肌红蛋白对CdTe量子点有显著的荧光猝灭作用,建立了肌红蛋白的快速检测方法.在最佳实验条件下,该体系荧光强度的猝灭程度(△F)与肌红蛋白质量浓度呈良好的线性关系,线性范围为0.3～24 μg/mL,检出限为0.13 μg/mL.该方法已对合成样品中肌红蛋白进行检测,并用于人体尿样中肌红蛋白的测定.     

Conjugating luminescent CdTe quantum dots with biomolecules

Newly prepared CdTe quantum dots ( QD) bearing shells of water solubility providing capping agents (i.e., thioglycolic acid ( TGA) and 2-(dimethylamino)ethanethiol hydrochloride (DMAET) were subjected to electrostatic assays with several proteins (i.e., cytochrome c (cyt c) and human serum albumin (HSA). In particular, we employed absorption, emission, transient absorption and time-resolved emission spectroscopic means to test their response to light. Only for negatively capped QDs spectroscopic and kinetic evidence were gathered that corroborate the successful bioconjugation of QDs with cyt c to yield QD- cyt c bioconjugates. In fact, photoexcitation of QD-cyt c leads to a fast deactivation of the QD band gap emission and of the QD excited state. Notably, these interactions depend on the size of the QDs. Repulsive forces, on the other hand, are operative between the positively capped QDs and cyt c, hampering any bioconjugation.     

Study of the bioeffects of CdTe quantum dots on Escherichia coli cells

Quantum dots (QDs) hold great potential for applications in nanomedicine, however, only a few studies investigate their toxic- and bio-effects. Using Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells as model, we found that CdTe QDs exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on cell growth by microcalorimetric technique and optical density (OD(600)). The growth rate constants (k) were determined, which showed that they were related to the concentration of QDs. The mechanism of cytotoxicity of QDs was also studied through the attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra, fluorescence (FL) polarization, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was clear that the cell out membrane was changed or damaged by the addition of QDs. Taken together, the results indicated that CdTe QDs have cytotoxic effects on E. coli cells, and this effects might attribute to the damaged structure of the cell out membrane, thus QDs and by-products (free radicals, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and free Cd(2+)) which might enter the cells.     

Electrochemical properties of CdSe and CdTe quantum dots

Semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs), owing to their unique opto-electronic properties determined by quantum confinement effects, have been the subject of extensive investigations in different areas of science and technology in the past two decades. The electrochemical behaviour of QDs, particularly for CdSe and CdTe nanocrystals, has also been explored, although to a lesser extent compared to the optical properties. Voltammetric measurements can be used to probe the redox levels available for the nanocrystals, which is an invaluable piece of information if these systems are involved in electron transfer processes. Electrochemical data can also foster the interpretation of the spectroscopic properties of QDs, and give insightful information on their chemical composition, dimension, and surface properties. Hence, electrochemical methods constitute in principle an effective tool to probe the quality of QD samples in terms of purity, size dispersion, and surface defects. The scope of this critical review is to discuss the results of electrochemical studies carried out on CdSe and CdTe core and core-shell semiconductor nanocrystals of spherical shape. Examples of emerging or potential applications that exploit electroactive quantum dot-based systems will also be illustrated.     

Mechanism of antimicrobial activity of CdTe quantum dots

The antimicrobial activity and mechanism of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) against Escherichia coli were investigated in this report. Colony-forming capability assay and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images show that the QDs can effectively kill the bacteria in a concentration-dependent manner. Results of photoluminescence spectrophotometry, confocal microscopy, and antioxidative response tests indicate that the QDs bind with bacteria and impair the functions of a cell's antioxidative system, including down-regulations of antioxidative genes and decreases of antioxidative enzymes activities. The oxidative damage of protein and lipid is also observed with thiobarbituric reacting substances and protein carbonyl assays, respectively. On the basis of these results, it is proposed that the mechanism of the antimicrobial activity of CdTe QDs involves QDs-bacteria association and a reactive oxygen species-mediated pathway. Thus, CdTe QDs could have the potential to be formulated as a novel antimicrobial material with excellent optical properties.     

栀子甙对碲化镉量子点的荧光淬灭作用

以3-巯基丙酸作为稳定剂,在水溶液中合成了CdTe量子点;采用荧光光谱法初步研究了栀子甙对巯基丙酸稳定的CdTe量子点的荧光淬灭作用,考察了量子点浓度、pH、反应时间等多种因素对量子点-栀子甙体系荧光强度的影响,确定了测定栀子甙的最佳实验条件;并初步探讨了栀子甙与该量子点相互作用的可能反应机理.结果表明,在最佳实验条件下,巯基丙酸稳定的CdTe量子点对栀子甙检测的线性范围为2×10-7~4×10-6 mol/L,检出限为1.4×10-7 mol/L,相对标准偏差为0.355%;且常见的金属阳离子、糖类和氨基酸对栀子甙的测定无显著影响.总体而言,该方法可用于人体体液中栀子甙的检测,且两者的作用过程可初步推断为动态淬灭过程.     

Modification of CdTe quantum dots as temperature-insensitive bioprobes

CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized in aqueous solution with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as the stabilizer. The photoluminescence (PL) of CdTe QDs (3.5nm) is found to be temperature-dependent: as the temperature arising from 278K to 323K, the PL intensity declines to 50.2% of its original and PL emission peak shows obvious red-shift ( approximately 7nm). After modification of the QDs surface with denatured ovalbumin, the PL is more temperature-insensitive than before. The PL intensity retains more than 70% of its original and the emission peak shows less red-shift ( approximately 2nm). Moreover, it is found that the PL intensity and wavelength of denatured ovalbumin coated CdTe QDs are reversible during heating (323K)-cooling (278K) cycles. All the studies provide an important theoretical basis for searching temperature-insensitive bioprobes.     

The preparation of glutathione-capped CdTe quantum dots and their use in imaging of cells

In this paper, different sizes of glutathione-capped CdTe (GSH/CdTe) quantum dots (QDs) have been prepared directly in aqueous solution. The QDs have tunable fluorescence in the range of 510-670 nm, and they also have high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) without any postpreparative treatment. Furthermore, the QDs have strong resistance to photobleaching, and they also have to be considered as cytocompatible. In addition, for the first time, folic acid was covalently conjugated to the GSH/CdTe QDs for imaging of cancer cells, demonstrating their potentially broad application as biolabels.     

Selective labeling of the endoplasmic reticulum in live cells with silicon quantum dots

A simple and novel approach was developed to obtain water-dispersible silicon quantum dots (Si-QDs) of low toxicity that were able to selectively label the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in live cells. A block copolymer (Pluronic F127) was used to coat the surface of Si-QDs. Si-QDs form aggregates with diameters of 20-40 nm and show an outstanding optical stability upon UV irradiation. Our F127-treated Si-QDs would be a powerful tool for long-term real-time observation of the ER in live cells.     

Conjugation of quantum dots with graphene for fluorescence imaging of live cells

It is difficult to achieve fluorescent graphene-quantum dots (QDs) conjugation because graphene quenches the fluorescence of the QDs. In the present study, the conjugation of graphene (reduced graphene oxide, RGO) with QDs via a bridge of bovine serum albumin (BSA) provides a novel highly fluorescent nano probe for the first time. BSA capped QDs are firmly grafted onto polyethylenimine (PEI)/poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) coated RGO (graphene-QDs) via electrostatic layer by layer assembly. The strong luminescence of the graphene-QDs provides a potential for non-invasive optical in vitro imaging. The graphene-QDs are used for in vitro imaging of live human carcinoma (Hela) cells. Graphene-QDs could be readily up-taken by Hela cells in the absence of specific targeting molecules, e.g., antibodies or folic acid, and no in vitro cytotoxicity is observed at 360 μg mL(-1) of the graphene-QDs. The results for the imaging of live cells indicated that the cell-penetrating graphene-QDs could be a promising nano probe for intracellular imaging and therapeutic applications.     

Temperature-dependent photoluminescence of highly luminescent water-soluble CdTe quantum dots

Highly luminescent water-soluble CdTe quantum dots(QDs) have been synthesized with an electrogenerated precursor.The obtained CdTe QDs can possess good crystallizability,high quantum yield(QY) and favorable stability.Furthermore,a detection system is designed firstly for the investigation of the temperature-dependent PL of the QDs.     

Interaction of CdTe/CdS quantum dots with antibodies

In the study,we observed the strong adsorption of CdTe/CdS QDs to antibodies and the formation of QDs-antibodies conjugates. Capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection(CE-LIF),fluorescence spectrometry and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy(FCS) were used to characterize the QDs conjugates with antibody.We found that the QDs-antibody conjugates possessed high fluorescence,small hydrodynamic radii and good stability in aqueous solution.     

高量子产率水溶性CdTe量子点的制备与表征

以巯基乙酸(HSCH2 COOH,TGA)为稳定剂,在水相中合成高量子产率CdTe量子点(QDs),产率达68%.用紫外.可见分光光度计、荧光分光光度计、红外光谱仪、透射电子显微镜等对制备的样品进行表征.结果表明:CdTe Ods紫外吸收峰及荧光发射峰均随回流时间延长而红移,即粒径在不断增大;荧光发射峰窄而对称,表明QDs分散性好、大小较均一,半峰宽随回流时间延长而逐渐变宽,表明粒径在增大的同时粒径分布范围也变宽;从TEM及紫外.可见光谱推算,可知其粒径约为3 nm;红外光谱图说明作为稳定剂的巯基乙酸对QDs表面起到修饰作用.     

Silica-coated CdTe quantum dots functionalized with thiols for bioconjugation to IgG proteins

Quantum dots (QDs) have been increasingly used in biolabeling recently as their advantages over molecular fluorophores have become clear. For bioapplications QDs must be water-soluble and buffer stable, making their synthesis challenging and time-consuming. A simple aqueous synthesis of silica-capped, highly fluorescent CdTe quantum dots has been developed. CdTe QDs are advantageous as the emission can be tuned to the near-infrared where tissue absorption is at a minimum, while the silica shell can prevent the leakage of toxic Cd(2+) and provide a surface for easy conjugation to biomolecules such as proteins. The presence of a silica shell of 2-5 nm in thickness has been confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy measurements. Photoluminescence studies show that the silica shell results in greatly increased photostability in Tris-borate-ethylenediaminetetraacetate and phosphate-buffered saline buffers. To further improve their biocompatibility, the silica-capped QDs have been functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol) and thiol-terminated biolinkers. Through the use of these linkers, antibody proteins were successfully conjugated as confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Streptavidin-maleimide and biotinylated polystyrene microbeads confirmed the bioactivity and conjugation specificity of the thiolated QDs. These functionalized, silica-capped QDs are ideal labels, easily synthesized, robust, safe, and readily conjugated to biomolecules while maintaining bioactivity. They are potentially useful for a number of applications in biolabeling and imaging.     

水溶性CdTe量子点荧光探针检测肠癌相关T抗原

直接合成性能优良的水溶性CdTe量子点,然后在其表面成功修饰花生凝集素,经过凝胶柱的分离纯化获得功能化的量子点荧光探针.基于T抗原选择性与花生凝集素(PNA)结合的特性,利用该探针对肠癌中高表达的T抗原进行检测,且与传统的荧光染料标记的免疫荧光分析进行了比较.实验结果表明:该功能化的荧光探针能够有效地识别肠癌的相关T抗原,从而为T抗原的检测以及肠癌的临床诊断与愈后判断提供了一种新的方法.     

Synthesis of CdTe colloidal quantum dots (QDs) in water

The comparison of growth processes and fluorescent properties of CdTe semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) that are synthesized in water with different modifiers are discussed in this paper. The samples are characterized through ultraviolet-visible spectra (UV-Vis), photoluminescence spectra (PL) and zeta potential. The results show that when the reaction time is prolonged for the same modifier, the ultraviolet absorption peak and fluorescent emission peak present obvious red shifts and the diameters of the QDs continuously increase. With the same reaction time but different modifiers, QDs with different diameters can be gained. The average full width at half maximum of the photoluminescence spectra is about 50 nm which shows that the monodispersity is quite good. Under the best reaction conditions, the highest quantum yield (QY) can be attained by using thioglycollic acid (TGA) as modifier when the reaction time is 240 min. The zeta potential is influenced by the modifier and pH. __________ Translated from Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2007, 41(10): 1690–1694 [译自: 上海交通大学学报]     

CdTe量子点荧光探针测定氯霉素含量的研究

在水溶液体系中制备出了具有高质量荧光性能,巯基乙酸(TGA)修饰的CdTe量子点(QDs),基于量子点与氯霉素混合后发生荧光猝灭作用,建立CdTe量子点作为荧光探针测定氯霉素的新方法。在Tris-HCl缓冲液(pH 7.00,0.10 mol·L-1)中,反应时间为10min时,氯霉素浓度在10～70μg·mL-1范围内与CdTe量子点的荧光猝灭程度呈良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.9981,检出限为0.799μg.mL-1。方法简便快速,灵敏度高,可用于实际样品中氯霉素的检测。     

水热法快速合成绿色到近红外发光CdTe量子点

以3-巯基丙酸(MPA)和柠檬酸钠为稳定剂,Na2TeO3为碲源,利用水热法成功制备了从绿色到近红外发射的CdTe量子点,并详细探讨了影响CdTe量子点体系的荧光发射波长和量子产率的因素,如反应前驱液的pH值,反应物的浓度比和反应时间等实验条件.分别用X射线粉末衍射、透射电镜、紫外-可见光谱和荧光光谱对CdTe量子点进行了表征.