From analog to digital: exploring cell dynamics with single quantum dots.
Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as new fluorescent probes for biology. When combined with ultrasensitive optical techniques, they allow motions of individual biomolecules to be tracked in live cells with high signal-to-noise and over unprecedented durations. Single QD imaging readily offers a powerful tool to investigate the organization in cell membranes. Altogether QDs will contribute to more advanced biological imaging and enable new studies on the dynamics of cellular processes.
Dahan
Maxime
M
Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005, Paris, France. maxime.dahan@lkb.ens.fr
D000818:Animals; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D002477:Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry; D045663:Quantum Dots; D018009:Receptors, Glycine / Q000032:analysis; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000502:physiology
D018009:Receptors, Glycine; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter