title: Compact cysteine-coated CdSe(ZnCdS) quantum dots for in vivo applications.
abstract: We have developed a versatile nanoparticle construct using a compact cysteine coating on a CdSe(ZnCdS) core(shell) nanocrystal (QD-Cys) that is biologically compatible, exceptionally compact, highly fluorescent, and easily functionalized. The small hydrodynamic diameter of QD-Cys ( approximately 6 nm) allows for renal clearance of these nanoparticles in rat models. Moreover, the ability to directly conjugate to QD-Cys opens up the possibility of functionalized nanocrystals for in vivo targeted imaging, in which small targeting molecules can be appended to QD-Cys, and unbound QDs can be rapidly cleared to achieve high signal/noise ratios and to reduce background toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Wenhao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hak Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.forename: Eiichi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Frangioni
authors.forename: Moungi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bawendi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003545:Cysteine / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D045663:Quantum Dots; D051381:Rats; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D018036:Selenium Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; D002104:Cadmium; C058667:cadmium selenide; D015032:Zinc; D003545:Cysteine