Energy and electron transfer between quantum dots and biomolecules

量子点和生物分子之间的能量和电子转移

• 批准号: 312970-2008
• 负责人: Nadeau, Jay
• 金额: $ 1.46万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2010-01-01 至 2011-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=457546
• 关键词: Energy; electron; transfer; between; quantum

Quantum dots have been used in biological applications as an alternative to fluorescent dyes because of their stability, brightness, and wide range of colours. However, these semiconductor nanocrystals also possess other properties that make them potentially useful as a whole new class of nanoscale biosensors: those that turn off and on (or change colour) in response to a specific process within a cell. In our previous work, we defined the types of biologically-relevant processes that might result in alterations of quantum dot fluorescence, and illustrated the use of quantum dots as sensors for redox potential within living cells. In this work, we have two specific aims: (1) to use these general principles to create a sensor for cellular membrane potential and ion flux. We will apply this to the specific case of a bacterial sodium channel, with the eventual goal of using the sensor to probe action potentials. We will determine the exact photophysical mechanisms behind the fluorescence changes seen, and thus to enable the easier creation of new classes of nanoparticle-based sensors. (2) To measure quantum dot fluorescence intermittency ("blinking") as the particles encounter living cells, are taken up, travel to different intracellular locations, and are processed. This may allow the phenomenon of blinking to be used as a truly nanoscale probe of intracellular conditions.

量子点由于其稳定性、亮度和广泛的颜色范围而被用于生物应用中作为荧光染料的替代品。 然而，这些半导体纳米晶体还具有其他特性，使它们有可能作为一种全新的纳米级生物传感器：那些响应细胞内特定过程而关闭和打开（或改变颜色）的传感器。 在我们以前的工作中，我们定义了可能导致量子点荧光改变的生物相关过程的类型，并说明了量子点作为活细胞内氧化还原电位传感器的用途。 在这项工作中，我们有两个具体目标：（1）使用这些一般原理来创建细胞膜电位和离子通量的传感器。我们将把它应用于细菌钠通道的特定情况，最终目标是使用传感器探测动作电位。我们将确定所看到的荧光变化背后的确切物理机制，从而更容易创建新的基于纳米颗粒的传感器。(2)为了测量当粒子遇到活细胞、被吸收、行进到不同的细胞内位置并被处理时的量子点荧光不稳定性（“闪烁”）。这可能使闪烁现象被用作细胞内条件的真正纳米级探针。