Colloidal quantum dots initiating current bursts in lipid bilayers.
The combination of inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals, also called quantum dots (QDs), with biological materials has recently attracted considerable interest since the QDs can be used as superior fluorescent labels. Here, we report on CdSe QD initiated current bursts in lipid bilayer membranes on application of a bias voltage. The current bursts observed resemble those produced by the peptaibol class of antibiotics such as alamethicin and trichorzins. The current fluctuations are dependent on the bias voltage and on the concentration of the QD applied to the membrane. Our data suggest that QDs with intrinsic dipole moments similar to alamethicin can be controlled by an external electric field, which creates a torque resulting in the insertion into the lipid membrane.
Ramachandran
Sujatha
S
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Merrill
Nathaniel E
NE
Blick
Robert H
RH
van der Weide
Daniel W
DW
D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D018274:Electroporation / Q000379:methods*; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010539:Permeability; D016062:Porosity; D045663:Quantum Dots
D003102:Colloids; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial