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Science 29 November 2002:
Vol. 298. no. 5599, p. 1675
DOI: 10.1126/science.298.5599.1675d
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Fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals, or quantum dots (QDs), could be ideal markers for biological studies because they photobleach much more slowly than do dye molecules and their emission wavelength can be finely tuned. However, the QDs must first be encapsulated with a biocompatible layer to improve their solubility while maintaining their stability and fluorescence and avoiding nonspecific adsorption. Dubertret et al. (p. 1759) encapsulated CdSe QDs with a phospholipid block copolymer and show that when conjugated to DNA, the coated QDs can be used as in vitro probes to highlight specific complementary sequences. A lineage-tracing study of Xenopus embryos shows that the QDs have low cell migration and low toxicity.

Figure 1
CREDIT: DUBERTRET ET AL.




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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)