Surface modification to reduce nonspecific binding of quantum dots in live cell assays.
Nonspecific binding is a frequently encountered problem with fluorescent labeling of tissue cultures when labeled with quantum dots. In these studies various cell lines were examined for nonspecific binding. Evidence suggests that nonspecific binding is related to cell type and may be significantly reduced by functionalizing quantum dots with poly(ethylene glycol) ligands (PEG). The length of PEG required to give a significant reduction in nonspecific binding may be as short as 12-14 ethylene glycol units.
Bentzen
Elizabeth L
EL
Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Station B, 351822, Nashville, Tennessee 37235-1822, USA.
Tomlinson
Ian D
ID
Mason
John
J
Gresch
Paul
P
Warnement
Michael R
MR
Wright
David
D
Sanders-Bush
Elaine
E
Blakely
Randy
R
Rosenthal
Sandra J
SJ
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002460:Cell Line; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000592:standards*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D045663:Quantum Dots; D013499:Surface Properties
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C006903:carbopol 940