Synthesis of core/shell quantum dots for diagnostic

Abstract

In this paper, synthesis of colloidal core and core/shell quantum dots (QDs) was described. First, CdTe QDs capped with glutathione, thioglycolic or mercaptopropionic acid were prepared in aqueous phase, and used for synthesis of colloidal core/shell CdTe/ZnS QDs. Core/shell QDs were used for conjugation with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or immunoglobulin G (IgG) via different crosslinkers (CDI, EDC/NHS, EDC). QDs as well as QDs-protein/antibody conjugates were characterized via UV-Vis spectroscopy and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Based on UV-Vis spectroscopy results it was found that, with increasing concentration of BSA, fluorescence intensity of QDs decreased. CE confirmed formation of QDs-BSA and QDs-IgG conjugates.