Quantum dots as a sensor for quantitative visualization of surface charges on single living cells with nano-scale resolution.
We developed a technique using quantum dot (QD) as a sensor for quantitative visualization of the surface charge on biological cells with nano-scale resolution. The QD system was designed and synthesized using amino modified CdSe/ZnS nanoparticles. In a specially designed buffer solution, they are positively charged and can homogeneously disperse in the aqueous environment to label all the negative charges on the surfaces of living cells. Using a wide-field optical sectioning microscopy to achieve 2D/3D imaging of the QD-labeled cells, we determined the charge densities of different kinds of cells from normal to mutant ones. The information about the surface charge distribution is significant in evaluating the structure, function, biological behavior and even malignant transformation of cells.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ji Nan University, Guang Zhou, China. tyxhuang@jnu.edu.cn
Yao-Xiong
YX
Huang
Xin-Jing
XJ
Zheng
Li-Li
LL
Kang
Xing-Yao
XY
Chen
Wen-Jing
WJ
Liu
Bao-Tian
BT
Huang
Zheng-Jie
ZJ
Wu
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D045663:Quantum Dots; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D055672:Static Electricity