title: Quantum dot-encoded mesoporous beads with high brightness and uniformity: rapid readout using flow cytometry.
abstract: A new generation of optically encoded beads has been prepared by using mesoporous polystyrene beads and surfactant-coated semiconductor quantum dots. In comparison with nonporous beads of similar sizes and chemical compositions, the encoded porous beads are approximately 1000 times brighter and 5 times more uniform in fluorescence intensities. Using both absolute intensity and ratiometric fluorescence coding, we show that the beads can be identified with a standard flow cytometer at 1000 beads/s. This result indicates that the multiple excited-state lifetimes and relaxation pathways of quantum dots do not limit their applications in high-speed optical detection and imaging.
authors.affiliation: Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, 1639 Pierce Drive, Suite 2001, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaohu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Shuming
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nie
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D016062:Porosity; D045663:Quantum Dots; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011137:Polystyrenes; D013501:Surface-Active Agents