Nature Biotechnology21, 41 - 46 (2002)
Published online: 2 December 2002; | doi:10.1038/nbt764
There is a Corrigenda (April 2003) associated with this Article.
Immunofluorescent labeling of cancer marker Her2 and other cellular targets with semiconductor quantum dots
Xingyong Wu1, Hongjian Liu1, Jianquan Liu1, Kari N. Haley1, Joseph A. Treadway1, J Peter Larson1, Nianfeng Ge2, Frank Peale2
& Marcel P. Bruchez1
1
Quantum Dot Corporation, 26118 Research Rd., Hayward, CA 94545.
2
Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080.
Correspondence should be addressed to Xingyong Wu xwu@qdots.com
Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are among the most promising emerging fluorescent labels for cellular imaging. However, it is unclear whether QDs, which are nanoparticles rather than small molecules, can specifically and effectively label molecular targets at a subcellular level. Here we have used QDs linked to immunoglobulin G (IgG) and streptavidin to label the breast cancer marker Her2 on the surface of fixed and live cancer cells, to stain actin and microtubule fibers in the cytoplasm, and to detect nuclear antigens inside the nucleus. All labeling signals are specific for the intended targets and are brighter and considerably more photostable than comparable organic dyes. Using QDs with different emission spectra conjugated to IgG and streptavidin, we simultaneously detected two cellular targets with one excitation wavelength. The results indicate that QD-based probes can be very effective in cellular imaging and offer substantial advantages over organic dyes in multiplex target detection.
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