In vivo imaging of quantum dots encapsulated in phospholipid micelles.
Fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots) have the potential to revolutionize biological imaging, but their use has been limited by difficulties in obtaining nanocrystals that are biocompatible. To address this problem, we encapsulated individual nanocrystals in phospholipid block-copolymer micelles and demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo imaging. When conjugated to DNA, the nanocrystal-micelles acted as in vitro fluorescent probes to hybridize to specific complementary sequences. Moreover, when injected into Xenopus embryos, the nanocrystal-micelles were stable, nontoxic (<5 x 10(9) nanocrystals per cell), cell autonomous, and slow to photobleach. Nanocrystal fluorescence could be followed to the tadpole stage, allowing lineage-tracing experiments in embryogenesis.
Dubertret
Benoit
B
Center for Studies in Physics and Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA. benoit.dubertret@espci.fr
Skourides
Paris
P
Norris
David J
DJ
Noireaux
Vincent
V
Brivanlou
Ali H
AH
Libchaber
Albert
A
D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; D000818:Animals; D003460:Crystallization; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005453:Fluorescence; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008823:Micelles; D008845:Microinjections; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D010743:Phospholipids; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012666:Semiconductors; D014981:Xenopus / Q000196:embryology
C102564:DPPE-PEG2000; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008823:Micelles; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D010743:Phospholipids; D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004247:DNA