Journal
NATURE PROTOCOLS
Volume 10, Issue 6, Pages 859-874Publisher
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2015.050
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Funding
- Florida State University (FSU)
- National Science Foundation (NSFCHE) [1058957]
- Division Of Chemistry
- Direct For Mathematical & Physical Scien [1058957] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Luminescent quantum dots (QDs) can potentially be used for many biological experiments, provided that they are constructed in such a way as to be stable in biological matrices. Furthermore, QDs that are compact in size and easy to couple to biomolecules can be readily used for applications ranging from protein tracking to vasculature imaging. In this protocol, we describe the preparation of ligands comprising either one or two lipoic acid (LA) groups chemically linked to a zwitterion moiety. These ligands are then used to functionalize luminescent QDs via a photochemical transformation of LA. This route produces nanocrystals that are compact in size and stable over a broad range of conditions. In addition, the resulting QDs are readily self-assembled with polyhistidine-appended proteins. This mode of conjugation maintains the protein biological activity and its orientation, yielding highly promising fluorescent conjugates that can be used for imaging and sensing. The protocol in its entirety can be completed in 3 weeks.
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