In vivo molecular and cellular imaging with quantum dots

Gao, Xiaohu; Yang, Lily; Petros, John A.; Marshall, Fray F.; Simons, Jonathan W.; Nie, Shuming

doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2004.11.003

Cited by 1,108 publications

(677 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…The technology of magnetic nanoparticle probes, in particular, has seen increased efforts devoted to maturing its potential as a central tool for efficient, cross-application, molecular imaging. Although particles of iron oxide have been used as magnetic contrast agents for over 45 years, 46 refinement in the synthesis and coating of magnetic nanoparticles, especially in the last decade, has led to their employment in an abundance of novel biological applications. These applications include blood pooling, tissue and cell specific contrast agents for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, cell tracking, and biomolecular detection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Probes for Molecular Imaging

et al. 2006

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Abstract-The field of molecular imaging has recently seen rapid advances in the development of novel contrast agents and the implementation of insightful approaches to monitor biological processes non-invasively. In particular, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO) have demonstrated their utility as an important tool for enhancing magnetic resonance contrast, allowing researchers to monitor not only anatomical changes, but physiological and molecular changes as well. Applications have ranged from detecting inflammatory diseases via the accumulation of non-targeted SPIO in infiltrating macrophages to the specific identification of cell surface markers expressed on tumors. In this article, we attempt to illustrate the broad utility of SPIO in molecular imaging, including some of the recent developments, such as the transformation of SPIO into an activatable probe termed the magnetic relaxation switch.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Probes for Molecular Imaging

et al. 2006

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“…self-illuminating quantum dots; bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET); polymeric encapsulation; molecular imaging; nanotechnology Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have captivated scientists and engineers over the past two decades owing to their fascinating optical and electronic properties, which are not available from either single individual molecules or bulk solids [1]. Compared with organic dyes and fluorescent proteins, semiconductor QDs offer several unique advantages, such as size-and composition-tunable emission from visible to infrared wavelengths, large absorption coefficients across a wide spectral range, and very high levels of brightness and photostability [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improved QD-BRET conjugates for detection and imaging

Xing

Koh

et al. 2008

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

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Self-illuminating quantum dots, also known as QD-BRET conjugates, are a new class of quantum dots bioconjugates which do not need external light for excitation. Instead, light emission relies on the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer from the attached Renilla luciferase enzyme, which emits light upon the oxidation of its substrate. QD-BRET combines the advantages of the QDs (such as superior brightness & photostability, tunable emission, multiplexing) as well as the high sensitivity of bioluminescence imaging, thus holds the promise for improved deep tissue in vivo imaging. Although studies have demonstrated the superior sensitivity and deep tissue imaging potential, the stability of the QD-BRET conjugates in biological environment needs to be improved for long-term imaging studies such as in vivo cell trafficking. In this study, we seek to improve the stability of QD-BRET probes through polymeric encapsulation with a polyacrylamide gel. Results show that encapsulation caused some activity loss, but significantly improved both the in vitro serum stability and in vivo stability when subcutaneously injected into the animal. Stable QD-BRET probes should further facilitate their applications for both in vitro testing as well as in vivo cell tracking studies. Keywordsself-illuminating quantum dots; bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET); polymeric encapsulation; molecular imaging; nanotechnology Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have captivated scientists and engineers over the past two decades owing to their fascinating optical and electronic properties, which are not available from either single individual molecules or bulk solids [1]. Compared with organic dyes and fluorescent proteins, semiconductor QDs offer several unique advantages, such as size-and composition-tunable emission from visible to infrared wavelengths, large absorption coefficients across a wide spectral range, and very high levels of brightness and photostability [2]. These properties make them appealing fluorescent probes for bioimaging applications including in situ cell/tissue labeling, live cell imaging and in vivo imaging [3]. However, in vivo imaging using quantum dots still faces challenges such as interferences from tissue autofluorescence [4] and paucity of light available at non-superficial tissue sites [5]. One approach to solve these problems is to use high quality near infrared (NIR) QDs [6], which is an area still under active development. Alternatively, since both problems are related to the

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“…Figure 1 shows the typical absorption and emission spectra of water-soluble QDs. Their emission wavelength can be continuously tuned from 400 nm to 2000 nm by changing both the nanocrystal size and composition [16].…”

Section: Optical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Semiconductor nanocrystals for biological imaging

Larabell

et al. 2005

Current Opinion in Neurobiology

169

130

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Summary of Recent AdvancesConventional organic fluorophores suffer from poor photo stability, narrow absorption spectra and broad emission feature. Semiconductor nanocrystals, on the other hand, are highly photo-stable with broad absorption spectra and narrow size-tunable emission spectra. Recent advances in the synthesis of these materials have resulted in bright, sensitive, extremely photo-stable and biocompatible semiconductor fluorophores.Commercial availability facilitates their application in a variety of unprecedented biological experiments, including multiplexed cellular imaging, long-term in vitro and in vivo labeling, deep tissue structure mapping and single particle investigation of dynamic cellular processes. Semiconductor nanocrystals are one of the first examples of nanotechnology enabling a new class of biomedical applications.

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In vivo molecular and cellular imaging with quantum dots

Cited by 1,108 publications

References 62 publications

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Probes for Molecular Imaging

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Probes for Molecular Imaging

Improved QD-BRET conjugates for detection and imaging

Semiconductor nanocrystals for biological imaging

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