title: Biosynthesis of luminescent quantum dots in an earthworm.
abstract: The synthesis of designer solid-state materials by living organisms is an emerging field in bio-nanotechnology. Key examples include the use of engineered viruses as templates for cobalt oxide (Co(3)O(4)) particles, superparamagnetic cobalt-platinum alloy nanowires and gold-cobalt oxide nanowires for photovoltaic and battery-related applications. Here, we show that the earthworm's metal detoxification pathway can be exploited to produce luminescent, water-soluble semiconductor cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots that emit in the green region of the visible spectrum when excited in the ultraviolet region. Standard wild-type Lumbricus rubellus earthworms were exposed to soil spiked with CdCl(2) and Na(2)TeO(3) salts for 11 days. Luminescent quantum dots were isolated from chloragogenous tissues surrounding the gut of the worm, and were successfully used in live-cell imaging. The addition of polyethylene glycol on the surface of the quantum dots allowed for non-targeted, fluid-phase uptake by macrophage cells.
authors.affiliation: Analytical and Environmental Sciences Division, King's College London, London SE1 9NH, UK.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Stürzenbaum
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Höckner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panneerselvam
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Levitt
authors.forename: J-S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bouillard
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.forename: L-A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Dailey
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahmad Khanbeigi
authors.forename: E V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Rosca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thanou
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suhling
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Zayats
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D049408:Luminescent Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010316:Particle Size; D045663:Quantum Dots; D013691:Tellurium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D049408:Luminescent Agents; C032039:sodium tellurate(IV); D013691:Tellurium; C028337:cadmium telluride