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Labelling of cells with quantum dots

REVIEW ARTICLE

Wolfgang J Parak1,3, Teresa Pellegrino1 and Christian Plank2

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TOPICAL REVIEW

Colloidal quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals well dispersed in a solvent. The optical properties of quantum dots, in particular the wavelength of their fluorescence, depend strongly on their size. Because of their reduced tendency to photobleach, colloidal quantum dots are interesting fluorescence probes for all types of labelling studies. In this review we will give an overview on how quantum dots have been used so far in cell biology. In particular we will discuss the biologically relevant properties of quantum dots and focus on four topics: labelling of cellular structures and receptors with quantum dots, incorporation of quantum dots by living cells, tracking the path and the fate of individual cells using quantum dot labels, and quantum dots as contrast agents.


PACS

87.17.-d Cell processes

87.64.-t Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques in biophysics and medical physics

68.65.Hb Quantum dots (patterned in quantum wells)

Subjects

Surfaces, interfaces and thin films

Medical physics

Biological physics

Nanoscale science and low-D systems

Dates

Issue 2 (February 2005)

Received 2 September 2004, in final form 15 December 2004

Published 25 January 2005



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