title: Aqueous, protein-driven synthesis of transition metal-doped ZnS immuno-quantum dots.
abstract: The intentional introduction of transition metal impurities in semiconductor nanocrystals is an attractive approach for tuning quantum dot emission over a wide range of wavelengths. However, the development of effective doping strategies can be challenging, especially if one simultaneously requires a low-toxicity crystalline core, a functional protein shell, and a "green", single-step synthesis process. Here, we describe a simple and environmentally friendly route for the biofabrication of Cu-doped (blue-green) or Mn-doped (yellow-orange) ZnS nanocrystals surrounded by an antibody-binding protein shell. The ZnS:Mn hybrid particles obtained with this method exhibit a 60% enhancement in maximum photoluminescence intensity relative to undoped nanocrystals and have a hydrodynamic diameter inferior to 10 nm. They can be stored for months at 4 °C, are stable over a physiological range of pH and salt concentrations, can be decorated with variable amounts of antibodies by direct mixing, and hold promise for biosensing and imaging applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Box 351750, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
authors.forename: Weibin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baneyx
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D002417:Cattle; D003116:Color; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D055772:Green Chemistry Technology; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008345:Manganese / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D045663:Quantum Dots; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013879:Thioredoxins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D013440:Sulfides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D014867:Water; D008345:Manganese; D013879:Thioredoxins; D003300:Copper; C031238:zinc sulfide