title: PET Imaging and Biodistribution of Silicon Quantum Dots in Mice.
abstract: Investigation of nanomaterial disposition and fate in the body is critical before such material can be translated into clinical application. Herein a new macrocyclic ligand-(64)Cu(2+) complex was synthesized and used to label dextran-coated silicon quantum dots (QD), with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 15.1 ± 7.6 nm. The chelate showed exceptional stability, demonstrated by no loss radiolabel under a ligand competition reaction with EDTA. The QDs' biodistribution in mice was quantitatively evaluated by in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and ex vivo gamma counting. Results showed that they were excreted via renal filtration shortly postinjection and also accumulated in the liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States.
authors.forename: Chuqiao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Xuchu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: House
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kauzlarich
authors.forename: Angelique Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Louie