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Dextran-Functionalized Quantum Dot Immunoconjugates for Cellular Imaging

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Book cover Quantum Dots

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2135))

Abstract

Brightly luminescent semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are ideal materials for cellular imaging and analysis because of their advantageous optical properties and surface area that supports multivalent conjugation of biomolecules. An important design consideration for effective use of these materials is a hydrophilic, biocompatible surface chemistry that provides colloidal stability and minimizes nonspecific interactions with biological molecules and systems. Dextran coatings are able to satisfy these criteria. Despite frequent use of dextran coatings with other nanomaterials (e.g., iron oxide nanoparticles), there has been little development and application of dextran coatings for QDs. In this chapter, we describe methods for the synthesis and characterization of a dextran ligand for QDs, including preparation of an immunoconjugate via tetrameric antibody complexes (TAC). The utility of these immunoconjugates is demonstrated through immunofluorescent labeling and imaging of overexpressed human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) on the surface of SK-BR3 breast cancer cells.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF), and the University of British Columbia (UBC) for support of this research. K.R. is grateful for support from UBC through a Four-Year Fellowship (4YF). M.V. T. is grateful for support from NSERC through the CREATE NanoMat training program. W.R.A. is grateful for a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2), a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Award, and an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Kelly Rees, Melissa Massey, Michael V. Tran & W. Russ Algar

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  1. Kelly Rees
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  2. Melissa Massey
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  3. Michael V. Tran
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  4. W. Russ Algar
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Correspondence to W. Russ Algar .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Nanotechnology Group, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Adriana Fontes

  2. Biomedical Nanotechnology Group, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Beate S. Santos

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Rees, K., Massey, M., Tran, M.V., Algar, W.R. (2020). Dextran-Functionalized Quantum Dot Immunoconjugates for Cellular Imaging. In: Fontes, A., Santos, B. (eds) Quantum Dots. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2135. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0463-2_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0463-2_8

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-0462-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-0463-2

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