Navigation Links
Nano-Probes Allow an Inside Look at Cell Nuclei

, quantum dots fluoresce for days at a resolution high enough to detect biological events carried out by single molecules. In contrast, conventional labels such as organic fluorescent dyes and green fluorescent proteins only fluoresce for a few minutes at a high resolution. These labels are also either toxic to cells or difficult to construct and manipulate.

In the future, they hope to tailor quantum dots to track specific chemical reactions inside nuclei, such as how proteins help repair DNA after irradiation. They have already visualized the dots' journey from the area surrounding the nucleus to inside the nucleus, a feat that opens the door for real-time observations of nuclear trafficking mechanisms. They also hope to target other cellular organelles besides the nucleus, such as mitochondria and Golgi bodies. And because quantum dots emit different colors of light based on their size, they can be used to observe the transfer of material between cells.

"We can have two different quantum dots in two different cells, and watch as the cells exchange their mitochondria," says Chen, adding that their technique paves the way for imaging a host of other long-term biological events. "The toughest part is getting inside the nucleus, and we have already cleared that hurdle."

Chen and Gerion's research was published in the 2004, Vol. 2, No. 10 issue of Nano Letters.

Berkeley Lab is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory located in Berkeley, California. It conducts unclassified scientific research and is managed by the University of California. Visit our Website at www.lbl.gov.


'"/>

Source:Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory


Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. NIH Researchers Discover How Insulin Allows Entry of Glucose Into Cells
2. Inside rocks, implications for finding life on Mars

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Nano Probes Allow Inside Look Cell Nuclei

(Date:12/3/2009)...llers must be included in the design of the upcomi...umanitarian crisis, according to a scientist at th...re , Dr Simon Lewis argues that at least 50% of th...n, known as REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforest...wellers directly, and their property rights assure...
(Date:12/2/2009)...PHIA Children exposed to secondhand cigarette smo...r in adulthood, even if they never smoked. , Re...miology, Biomarkers & Prevention , a journal of th...t of a special tobacco focus in the December issue...s will be diagnosed with lung cancer; more than 15...
(Date:12/2/2009)...PHIA Mexican-American adolescents exposed to ciga...pick up the habit themselves, and this may be part...ing initiation, according to new study findings. ,...the United States and highlights the global implem...k Convention on Tobacco Control, which includes gu...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Forest deal at Copenhagen must avoid creating 'carbon refugees' 2Secondhand smoke exposure in childhood increases lung cancer risk later in life 2Watching movies featuring characters who smoke negatively influences Mexican-American teens 2Researchers determine predicting factors of positive lung cancer diagnoses in chest radiographs 47488 1Findings in epilepsy gene in animals may guide treatment directions for infants 47484 1Findings in epilepsy gene in animals may guide treatment directions for infants 47484 2Findings in epilepsy gene in animals may guide treatment directions for infants 47484 3Protein linked to mental retardation controls synapse maturation plasticity CSHL team finds 8676 1Protein linked to mental retardation controls synapse maturation plasticity CSHL team finds 8676 2Protein linked to mental retardation controls synapse maturation plasticity CSHL team finds 8676 3
...esearchers with a more reliable method of diagnosi...ue University researchers bound a complex nanomole...ation tag that was delivered to specific proteins ...ntists want to find a better way to ascertain the ...nvolved in disease processes. They also hope the n...
...that appear to attack the stomach lining of a crop...death. , The gene,s role in creating resistance t...of Agriculture and Purdue University researchers, ...e the finding as they investigated new, long-term ..."This is a different kind of defense than we were ...
...n Science magazine reporting the discovery of stro...or a cellular receptor involved in controlling inf.... and Canadian researchers is reporting in today,s...scovered several more genetic variations that are ...se. The discovery of these Crohn,s disease-associa...
Other Biology News:Scientists use nanoparticle to discover disease-causing proteins 2Wheat can fatally starve insect predators 2Wheat can fatally starve insect predators 3Scientists find new genes for Crohn's disease 2Scientists find new genes for Crohn's disease 3Scientists find new genes for Crohn's disease 4
(Date:12/2/2009)...e/ -- The world,s first concept demonstration ti...gh alternative to replace a petrochemically produc...er with renewable biomass, made their debut in Cop...isplay at a lounge in the common departure area at...ecember 21, while the other tire will make appeara...
(Date:12/2/2009)...er 2 , - "Bolstering Biod...e" , Coinciding with the International Ye...ublic is hosting an international conference in Li...ogical resources in Africa. The,conference will be...rs,scientific experts, private companies, represe...
(Date:12/2/2009)...December 2 Gamida Cell announced t...l (animal study) safety and,efficacy of a gene the...Cornell Medical College and Gamida Cell. The produ...uch as Cooley,s Anemia. , Gamida Cell is ...vivo,populations of stem/progenitor cells. The co...
(Date:12/2/2009).../PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Simcere Pharmaceutical Group,...ding pharmaceutical company,specializing in the de...,generic and proprietary pharmaceuticals in China,...ncluded in China,s National Drug Reimbursement Lis...f Human Resources and Social,Security on November ...
Breaking Biology Technology:The World's First Goodyear Concept Tires Made with BioIsoprene(TM) Technology Arrive in Copenhagen in time for United Nations Climate Change Conference 2The World's First Goodyear Concept Tires Made with BioIsoprene(TM) Technology Arrive in Copenhagen in time for United Nations Climate Change Conference 3Libreville International Conference 2-3 June 2010 2Gamida Cell Announces Feasibility Study With Weill Cornell Medical College 2Gamida Cell Announces Feasibility Study With Weill Cornell Medical College 3Simcere Announces 105 Drugs Included in China's National Drug Reimbursement List 2Simcere Announces 105 Drugs Included in China's National Drug Reimbursement List 3
...articularly difficult for telecom and high-technol...s their own fault. Their own executives did them i...ad it too easy for too long. Now they have to comp...e is some truth to those statements. , ,But there ... told me. He said The money market people, particu...
...es, large and small, view direct mailing as a hit-...rab their attention. Postalsoft Business Edition 7...ations more control over the direct mail process, ...le option for mid to large-volume mailers. , ,The...quartered in La Crosse, offers geocoding capabilit...
...yle was joined by University of Wisconsin Chancell...iotechnology industry in pledging their full suppo...consin s biotechnology industry. , ,The Governor,...technology Association, proclaimed his full suppor...ll veto any legislation that will prohibit researc...
Other Biology Technology:ARE WE THERE YET? 2Improved software makes direct mail an attractive option 2Governor Doyle Pledges Support for Stem Cell Research and Biotechnology Advancements 2
Cleanascite HC 500 from Biotech Support Group
Slide Moat Microscope Slide Incubator from Sigma-Aldrich
Lyophilization Stabilizer from GenScript Corporation
Lyophilization Stabilizer from GenScript Corporation
Biology Products: