A quantum dot photoswitch for DNA detection, gene transfection, and live-cell imaging.

Authors :: Wu Y
Eisele K
Doroshenko M
Algara-Siller G
Kaiser U
Koynov K
Weil T
Source :: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) [Small] 2012 Nov 19; Vol. 8 (22), pp. 3465-75. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Aug 23.
Publication Year :: 2012
Abstract: Quantum dots (QDs) coated with an albumin-derived copolymer shell exhibit significant photoresponsiveness to DNA loading and have great potential for investigating gene delivery processes. The QDs reported herein are positively charged, have attractive optical properties, and are noncytotoxic and notably stable in live cells. Their complex formation with plasmid DNA leads to proportionally decreased photoluminescence and efficient gene transfection is observed. Therefore, they are suitable for live-cell bioimaging and mechanistic studies of nonviral gene delivery. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy is applied for the first time to investigate individual QDs diffusing in large endosomes inside living cells, and serves as a valuable tool to study the physical properties of QDs inside live cells. The data obtained in this study strongly support the notable stability of these QDs, even in cell endosomes.<br /> (Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Subjects :: Albumins chemistry
Calibration
Cations
Cell Line, Tumor
Cell Survival
Diagnostic Imaging
Endosomes metabolism
Humans
Microscopy, Confocal
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Polymers chemistry
Protein Sorting Signals
Spectrometry, Fluorescence
Transfection
DNA chemistry
Gene Transfer Techniques
Nanotechnology methods
Quantum Dots

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