RNA-templated semiconductor nanocrystals.

Nan Ma; Chad J Dooley; Shana O Kelley

doi:10.1021/ja0638962

Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 17002324

RNA-templated semiconductor nanocrystals.

Nan Ma·Chad J Dooley·Shana O Kelley

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The use of a biomolecular RNA template for the synthesis of CdS semiconductor nanocrystals is described. Transfer RNA, with a well-defined three-dimensional structure, is used as a scaffold and ligand system in the aqueous synthesis of CdS. We have found that nanocrystal structures can be modulated by the structure of the templating tRNA. When possessing a folded three-dimensional structure, tRNA-templated synthesis yields a single product. If the same tRNA is rendered unstructured through the introduction of destabilizing mutations, a range of products are observed. The results reported indicate that biomolecules can be used to systematically engineer the structures and properties of semiconductor-based materials, and that the synergy between the dimensions of nanostructures and biomolecules provides a means to tune the properties of materials with nanoscale precision.

Explore related subjects

Cadmium Compounds Chromatography, Gel Escherichia coli Models, Molecular Nanoparticles Nucleic Acid Conformation RNA, Transfer RNA, Transfer, Leu Semiconductors Sulfides Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Nan Ma, Chad J Dooley, Shana O Kelley. 2006-10-04. RNA-templated semiconductor nanocrystals.. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja0638962

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2007

A versatile strategy for quantum dot ligand exchange.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cadmium Compounds↗

PubMed2007

Synthesis of stable luminescent microspheres by a simple method.

An easy procedure for preparing microspheres containing CdSe/CdS core-shell quantum dots (QDs) was demonstrated. The luminescent properties of this microsphere were characterized by fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometry. Scanning electron microscopy was also used in this study. Laser confocal microscopy was carried out to describe the distribution of QDs in the microsphere. Especially, the stability of microspheres was investigated. It was found that the getting microsphere was very stable in water and showed values for physiological conditions. The inherent stability of the spheres, as well as their photostability, allows them to be used in biological applications.

Cadmium Compounds↗

PubMed2007

Luminescent quantum dots fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based probes for enzymatic activity and enzyme inhibitors.

The paper describes the development and characterization of analytical properties of quantum dot-based probes for enzymatic activity and for screening enzyme inhibitors. The luminescent probes are based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between luminescent quantum dots that serve as donors and rhodamine acceptors that are immobilized to the surface of the quantum dots through peptide linkers. Peptide-coated CdSe/ZnS quantum dots were prepared using a one-step ligand exchange process in which RGDC peptide molecules replace trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) molecules as the capping ligands of the quantum dots. The peptide molecules were bound to the surface of the CdSe/ZnS quantum dots through the thiol group of the peptide cysteine residue. The peptide-coated quantum dots were labeled with rhodamine to form the FRET probes. The emission quantum yield of the quantum dot FRET probes was 4-fold lower than the emission quantum yield of TOPO-capped quantum dots. However, the quantum dot FRET probes were sufficiently bright to enable quantitative enzyme and enzyme inhibition assays. The probes were used first to test the enzymatic activity of trypsin in solution based on FRET signal changes of the quantum dot-based enzymatic probes in the presence of proteolytic enzymes. For example, exposure of the quantum dot FRET probes to 500 microg/mL trypsin for 15 min resulted in 60% increase in the photoluminescence of the quantum dots and a corresponding decrease in the emission of the rhodamine molecules. These changes resulted from the release of rhodamine molecules from the surface of the quantum dots due to enzymatic cleavage of the peptide molecules. The quantum dot FRET-based probes were used to monitor the enzymatic activity of trypsin and to screen trypsin inhibitors for their inhibition efficiency.

Cadmium Compounds↗