title: [Applications of fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals in microscopy and cytometry].
abstract: Quantum dots (QD) nanocrystals consisting of CdSe core with ZnS shell are a novel class of fluorophores with tremendous potential in microscopy and cytometry techniques. The unique optical features of Qdots, namely, high photostability and extinction coefficient, wide absorption and narrow emission spectra, and large Stokes shift make them desirable fluorescent tags for diverse biomedical applications. Applications of this novel technology in microscopy and cytometry produce reliable multicolor specimens due to increased photostability, ability for multiplexing and narrow emission spectra of nanocrystals. QD conjugates are available on the market and could be prepared in the laboratory. This paper describes the application of QD-conjugates for immunophenotyping and FISH assessment of cells and tissues, and the requirements for microscope and flow cytometer reengineering for successful use of QD in multiplex fluorescent format. Despite the considerable progress, important methodological issues still need to be solved in terms of QD nanocrystals' size, heterogeneity, functionalization and stability of their conjugates. We discuss practical approaches and challenges that need to be addressed to make QD immunostaining a standard method in biology.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Vorob'ev
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Rafalovskaia-Orlovskaia
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gladkikh
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Potashnikova
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Barteneva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D045663:Quantum Dots; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D018036:Selenium Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C058667:cadmium selenide; C031238:zinc sulfide