Zwitterion and Oligo(ethylene glycol) Synergy Minimizes Nonspecific Binding of Compact Quantum Dots.

ABSTRACT: Quantum dots (QDs) are a class of fluorescent nanocrystals in development as labels for molecular imaging in cells and tissues. Recently, coatings for quantum dots based on multidentate polymers have improved labeling performance in a range of bioanalytical applications, primarily due to reduced probe hydrodynamic size. Now, an ongoing challenge is to eliminate nonspecific binding between these small probes and cellular components that mask specifically labeled molecules. Here, we describe insights into controlling and minimizing intermolecular interactions governing nonspecific binding using multidentate polymers with tunable hydrophilic functional groups that are cationic, anionic, zwitterionic (ZW), or nonionic (oligoethylene glycol; OEG). By fixing surface-binding groups and polymer le

SUBMITTER: Han Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7321848 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature