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Semiconductor Quantum Dots for Visualization and Sensing in Neuronal Cell Systems

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Basic Neurobiology Techniques

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 152))

Abstract

Fluorescence imaging continues to play an increasingly vital role in neurobiology from the use of organic fluorophore dyes to genetically encoded proteins. Semiconductor nanocrystals or quantum dots have emerged as a new class of photostable fluorophores for use in a wide array of biological applications ranging from labeling and imaging to sensing and drug delivery. Here, we highlight several applications of quantum dots for imaging and sensing across a variety of neuronal cell platforms. These include the specific labeling of neurons tissue slices, the tracking of neuron movement in brain development, enhanced voltage sensing, and the guided patch clamp of neurons in vivo during electrophysiology. Our goal is to provide the reader with a survey of the use of quantum dots in these applications along with experimental notes and guidelines for their successful use in these applications.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by funding from the NRL Nanoscience Institute and Base Funding Program. LDF is a PhD candidate in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, MD, USA. YC was supported by a postdoctoral research associateship through the American Association for Engineering Education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. US Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Washington, DC, USA

    Lauren D. Field, Yung Chia Chen & James B. Delehanty

Authors
  1. Lauren D. Field
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  2. Yung Chia Chen
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  3. James B. Delehanty
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James B. Delehanty .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Levine College of Health Sciences, Wingate University, Wingate, NC, USA

    Nicholas J. D. Wright

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Field, L.D., Chen, Y.C., Delehanty, J.B. (2020). Semiconductor Quantum Dots for Visualization and Sensing in Neuronal Cell Systems. In: Wright, N. (eds) Basic Neurobiology Techniques . Neuromethods, vol 152. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9944-6_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9944-6_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-9943-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-9944-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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