The convergence of quantum-dot-mediated fluorescence resonance energy transfer and microfluidics for monitoring DNA polyplex self-assembly in real time.
We present a novel convergence of quantum-dot-mediated fluorescence resonance energy transfer (QD-FRET) and microfluidics, through which molecular interactions were precisely controlled and monitored using highly sensitive quantum-dot-mediated FRET. We demonstrate its potential in studying the kinetics of self-assembly of DNA polyplexes under laminar flow in real time with millisecond resolution. The integration of nanophotonics and microfluidics offers a powerful tool for elucidating the formation of polyelectrolyte polyplexes, which is expected to provide better control and synthesis of uniform and customizable polyplexes for future nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, MD, USA.
Yi-Ping
YP
Ho
Hunter H
HH
Chen
Kam W
KW
Leong
Tza-Huei
TH
Wang
D003199:Computer Systems; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000379:methods*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D045663:Quantum Dots; D018511:Systems Integration
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D004247:DNA