Preparation and biological investigation of luminescent water soluble CdTe nanoparticles

Byrne, S.J., O'Driscoll, C.M., Corr, S.A., Gun'ko, Y.K., Mitchell, S. and Volkov, Y. (2005) Preparation and biological investigation of luminescent water soluble CdTe nanoparticles. Proceedings of the SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering, 5824, pp. 129-137. (doi: 10.1117/12.604814)

Abstract

In this study CdTe quantum dots have been successfully prepared in aqueous medium using several different thiol stabilizers. The resulting nanocrystals were purified and the photoluminescence efficiency was subsequently enhanced through post preparative procedures such as photochemical etching and ageing. An optical study was carried out on the resulting CdTe nanocrystals as proof as their improvement. Preliminary tests of the thiol stabilised QDs as potential biolabels have been performed. It has been shown that L-cysteine stabilised QDs localising to the outer cell membrane in living cells. TGA stabilised CdTe QDs can potentially serve as live cell imaging tools as they exhibit strong luminescence and excellent photostability. In addition, the ability of TGA stabilised CdTe QDs to traverse the cell membrane of macrophages is a formidable quality that may potentially be harnessed for imaging and therapeutics. Modulating the delivery of QDs to subcellular locations in living cells opens a myriad of potential applications ranging from drug delivery to examination of intracellular processes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Copyright 2005, Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.604814
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Corr, Professor Serena
• Authors: Byrne, S.J., O'Driscoll, C.M., Corr, S.A., Gun'ko, Y.K., Mitchell, S., and Volkov, Y.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Proceedings of the SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering
• Publisher: SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
• ISSN: 0277-786X
• Published Online: 13 July 2005
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2005, Society of Photo Optical Instrumentation Engineers
• First Published: First published in Proceedings of the SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering 5824:129-137
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher