( quantum dots fluoresce for days at a ...)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.

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Source:Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory


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