Imaging characteristics of zinc sulfide shell, cadmium telluride core quantum dots.
OBJECTIVE
Quantum dots are optical nanocrystals whose in vitro and in vivo use in molecular imaging is expanding rapidly. In comparison with organic fluorophores, quantum dots exhibit desirable properties, such as multiwavelength fluorescence emission, excellent brightness and resistance to photobleaching. Their electron-dense, metallic cores suggest utility in other clinical imaging modalities.


METHODS
Core-shell zinc sulfide-cadmium telluride quantum dots were studied by magnetic resonance and computed tomography phantoms. Quantum dots were also injected into rat brain, as well as intravenously, using convection-enhanced delivery, prior to animal imaging.


RESULTS
Computed tomography studies suggest that current formulations of quantum dots might be imaged in vivo in animals.


CONCLUSIONS
Used in conjunction with optical imaging techniques, quantum dots have the potential to function as multimodal imaging platforms in vivo. The ability to detect an optical nanoparticle preoperatively with clinical imaging modality offers a distinct advantage to clinicians engaged in image-guided surgical applications.
Daneshvar
Hamid
H
Department of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Nelms
Jennifer
J
Muhammad
Osman
O
Jackson
Heather
H
Tkach
Jean
J
Davros
William
W
Peterson
Todd
T
Vogelbaum
Michael A
MA
Bruchez
Marcel P
MP
Toms
Steven A
SA
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D003287:Contrast Media; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D045663:Quantum Dots; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013691:Tellurium / Q000737:chemistry*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D003287:Contrast Media; D013440:Sulfides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C031238:zinc sulfide; D013691:Tellurium; C028337:cadmium telluride