Search

Oligosaccharides play crucial roles in many biorecognition processes by the so-called “cluster glycosidic effect”. We here report a facile synthesis of lactose-CdSeS/ZnS quantum dot conjugate (Lac-QDs) by use of 1-thiol-β-d-lactose via ligand exchange, which exhibits significantly high affinity and specificity to leukocytes in contrast to the monovalent lactose. Structural analyses indicate that there are about 132 lactosyl molecules assembled on single QDs and the hydrodynamic diameter is small, close to 8.2 nm. Further, Lac-QDs display good fluorescence and physicochemical stability in physiological conditions, as well as extremely low cytotoxicity. These properties facilitate the use of Lac-QDs in fluorescent labeling of live leukocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that explores the dynamic real-time imaging of living cell traction force by piezo-phototronic light nano-antenna array. It mentions that the study presents a rapid and ultrahigh-resolution methodology for the fundamental study of cardiomyocyte behavior at the cell or subcellular level.

Luminescence thermometry usually suffer from cellular complexity of the biochemical environment (such as pH and ionic strength), and thus the accuracy and reliability of the determined intracellular temperature are directly affected. Herein, a photoluminescent nanothermometer composed of polymer encapsulated quantum dots (P-QD) has been developed. And the prepared nanothermometer exhibits some advantages: such as non-sensitivity to pH and ionic strength, as well as high detection sensitivity and ultrahigh reversibility. The intracellular temperature was accurately determined under physiological conditions with different pH and ionic strength, and direct measurement of thermogenesis in individual cells has been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]