Synthesis of Water-Dispersible Fluorescent, Radio-Opaque, and Paramagnetic CdS:Mn/ZnS Quantum Dots: A Multifunctional Probe for Bioimaging

Abstract

Ultra-small (3.1 nm) multifunctional CdS:Mn/ZnS core-shell semiconductor quantum dots (Qdots), which possess fluorescent, radio-opacity, and paramagnetic properties, have been shown here. To demonstrate in vivo bioimaging capability, a rat was administered endovascularly with Qdots conjugated with a TAT peptide. The labeling efficacy of these Qdots was demonstrated on the basis of the histological analysis of the microtome sliced brain tissue, clearly showing that TAT-conjugated Qdots stained brain blood vessels.