Nature Biotechnology24, 339 - 343 (2006)
Published online: 26 February 2006; | doi:10.1038/nbt1188
Self-illuminating quantum dot conjugates for in vivo imaging
Min-Kyung So, Chenjie Xu, Andreas M Loening, Sanjiv S Gambhir
& Jianghong Rao
Figure 1.Design and spectroscopic characterization of bioluminescent quantum dot conjugates based on BRET. (a) A schematic of a quantum dot that is covalently coupled to a BRET donor, Luc8. The bioluminescence energy of Luc8-catalyzed oxidation of coelenterazine is transferred to the quantum dots, resulting in quantum dot emission. (b) Absorption and emission spectra of QD655 (ex = 480 nm), and spectrum of the bioluminescent light emitted in the oxidation of coelenterazine catalyzed by Luc8. (c) Gel electrophoresis analysis of the conjugation of Luc8 to QD655: (1) unconjugated QD655, (2) the mixture of QD655 and the coupling reagent EDC and (3) purified QD655-Luc8 conjugates. (d) Bioluminescence emission spectrum of QD655-Luc8 in borate buffer. (e) Bioluminescence emission spectrum of QD655-Luc8 in mouse serum and in mouse whole blood.
ex = 480 nm), and spectrum of the bioluminescent light emitted in the oxidation of coelenterazine catalyzed by Luc8. (c) Gel electrophoresis analysis of the conjugation of Luc8 to QD655: (1) unconjugated QD655, (2) the mixture of QD655 and the coupling reagent EDC and (3) purified QD655-Luc8 conjugates. (d) Bioluminescence emission spectrum of QD655-Luc8 in borate buffer. (e) Bioluminescence emission spectrum of QD655-Luc8 in mouse serum and in mouse whole blood.
