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Quantum dots as donors in fluorescence resonance energy transfer for the bioanalysis of nucleic acids, proteins, and other biological molecules

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Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) have a number of unique optical properties that are advantageous in the development of bioanalyses based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Researchers have used QDs as energy donors in FRET schemes for the analysis of nucleic acids, proteins, proteases, haptens, and other small molecules. This paper reviews these applications of QDs. Existing FRET technologies can potentially be improved by using QDs as energy donors instead of conventional fluorophores. Superior brightness, resistance to photobleaching, greater optimization of FRET efficiency, and/or simplified multiplexing are possible with QD donors. The applicability of the Förster formalism to QDs and the feasibility of using QDs as energy acceptors are also reviewed.

A ligand capped core/shell quantum dot acting as energy donor in a FRET process with aconjugated Cy3 labeled oligonucleotide

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of their research by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). W.R.A. is also grateful to NSERC for provision of a graduate fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Sensors Group, Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Rd. North, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada

    W. Russ Algar & Ulrich J. Krull

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  1. W. Russ Algar
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  2. Ulrich J. Krull
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Correspondence to Ulrich J. Krull.

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Algar, W.R., Krull, U.J. Quantum dots as donors in fluorescence resonance energy transfer for the bioanalysis of nucleic acids, proteins, and other biological molecules. Anal Bioanal Chem 391, 1609–1618 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-007-1703-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-007-1703-3

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