Article

Mechanochemical delivery and dynamic tracking of fluorescent quantum dots in the cytoplasm and nucleus of living cells.

Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
Nano Letters (impact factor: 13.2). 05/2009; 9(5):2193-8. DOI:10.1021/nl901047u pp.2193-8
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Studying molecular dynamics inside living cells is a major but highly rewarding challenge in cell biology. We present a nanoscale mechanochemical method to deliver fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) into living cells, using a membrane-penetrating nanoneedle. We demonstrate the selective delivery of monodispersed QDs into the cytoplasm and the nucleus of living cells and the tracking of the delivered QDs inside the cells. The ability to deliver and track QDs may invite unconventional strategies for studying biological processes and biophysical properties in living cells with spatial and temporal precision, potentially with molecular resolution.

0 0
 · 
0 Bookmarks
 · 
27 Views
  • Source
    Article: In vivo imaging of quantum dots encapsulated in phospholipid micelles.
    Benoit Dubertret, Paris Skourides, David J Norris, Vincent Noireaux, Ali H Brivanlou, Albert Libchaber
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots) have the potential to revolutionize biological imaging, but their use has been limited by difficulties in obtaining nanocrystals that are biocompatible. To address this problem, we encapsulated individual nanocrystals in phospholipid block-copolymer micelles and demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo imaging. When conjugated to DNA, the nanocrystal-micelles acted as in vitro fluorescent probes to hybridize to specific complementary sequences. Moreover, when injected into Xenopus embryos, the nanocrystal-micelles were stable, nontoxic (<5 x 10(9) nanocrystals per cell), cell autonomous, and slow to photobleach. Nanocrystal fluorescence could be followed to the tadpole stage, allowing lineage-tracing experiments in embryogenesis.
    Science 12/2002; 298(5599):1759-62. · 31.20 Impact Factor
Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.

Keywords

cell biology
 
delivered QDs
 
fluorescent quantum dots
 
molecular resolution
 
monodispersed QDs
 
nanoscale mechanochemical method
 
QDs
 
rewarding challenge
 
selective delivery
 
spatial
 
Studying molecular dynamics
 
temporal precision
 
track QDs
 

Kyungsuk Yum