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CdSe-core, ZnS-capped semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are of great potential for biomedical applications. However, applications in the gastrointestinal tract for in vivo imaging and therapeutic purposes are hampered by their sensitivity to acidic environments and potential toxicity. Here we report the use of coatings with a combination of polythiol ligands and silica shell (QDs PolyT-APS) to stabilize QDs fluorescence under acidic conditions. We demonstrated the stability of water-soluble QDs PolyT-APS both in vitro, in strong acidic solutions, and in vivo. The biodistribution, stability and photoluminescence properties of QDs in the gastrointestinal tract of mice after per os administration were assessed. We demonstrated that QDs coated with current traditional materials - mercapto compounds (QDs MPA) and pendant thiol group (QDs PolyT) - are not capable of protecting QDs from chemically induced degradation and surface modification. Polythiol ligands and silica shell quantum dots (QDs PolyT-APS) are suitable for biological and biomedical applications in the gastrointestinal tract., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The genetically encoded FRET-pair was developed on the basis of terbium-binding peptide and red fluorescent protein DsRed2. To study fluorescence resonance energy transfer within FRET-pair, the gene-engineered construction was obtained, where sequences of terbium-binding peptide and red fluorescent protein DsRed2 were fused in single reading frame. The expression of this construction in strain E. coli BL21 (DE3) was studied and conditions of synthesis, isolation and purification of recombinant protein were optimized. The hydrodynamic radius of hybrid protein was determined by the method of dynamic light scattering. Energy transfer between sensitized terbium and red fluorescent protein was confirmed by the methods of phosporescent spectroscopy. The obtained FRET-pair can be used both for studies in vitro and as a reporter in living cells.

The determination of thyroxin (T4) is a basic confirmative test for congenital hypothyroidism. 70% cases of this period inborn disease are taking asymptomatic course. We developed immunofluorescent T4-assay in dried blood spots with anti-T4 monoclonal antibody and europium chelate (dianhydride of diethylentriaminipentaacetic acid (DA-DTPA)). This method requires DELFIA Plate Fluorometer 1232 (Wallac, Finland) or its sub modifications. Panel of monoclonal antibodies for T4 has been obtained. Type/subtype (IgG2b, IgG1), affinity constants (10(7)-10(8) M-1), cross reactivity to homologous structures (0-2%) were determined. Stable clones with high affinity and viability were selected for the development of the assay. Conjugates of thyroxin and europium chelate were synthesized. Inclusion of sodium salicylate (2 mg/ml) and EDTA (2 mM) into the buffer reduced the nonspecific signal. Limit for T4 detection (T4 standarts) was 10 nM with not more than 15% variation coefficient. Accuracy was estimated by Bio-Rad Lipochek Immunoassay Plus Control Kit. Obtained results were within control confidence interval.