Abstract
Quantum dots (QDs) are colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals of a few nanometers in diameter, being their size and shape controlled during the synthesis. They are synthesized from atoms of group II–VI or III–V of the periodic table, such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) or cadmium selenium (CdSe) forming nanoparticles with fluorescent characteristics superior to current fluorophores. The excellent optical characteristics of quantum dots make them applied widely in the field of life sciences. Cellular uptake of QDs, location and translocation as well as any biological consequence, such as cytotoxicity, stimulated a lot of scientific research in this area. Several studies pointed to the cytotoxic effect against micoorganisms. In this mini-review, we overviewed the synthesis and optical properties of QDs, and its advantages and bioapplications in the studies about microorganisms such as protozoa, bacteria, fungi and virus.
Highlights
Quantum Dots: Optical Properties, Advantages and BioaplicationsQuantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals with optical and electronic properties controlled by their size, morphology and coating
Despite the fact that some studies have shown the entry of QDs in epimastigotes, the elucidation of the internalization route of QDs remains obscure in T. cruzi, and our group is performing further investigations to clarify this process
A mechanism that reduces the QDs toxicity is the synthesis of a passive layer, since the nanoparticle is protected from interaction with the cellular environment [36]
Summary
Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals with optical and electronic properties controlled by their size, morphology and coating. The QD fluorescence efficiency depends on the electronic traps, especially the dangling bonds, in the interface between the QD core and its coating, which must be eliminated This is usually done by a passivation layer of a wider optical band gap material [3]. Other important optical advantage is the broad excitation spectrum, from UV to the optical band-gap This means that one laser line can excite several QDs fluorescence bands, differently from usual fluorophores that require one specific excitation laser for each emission band. The FITC and other conventional fluorochromes have been extensive used in pathogenic protozoa including Trypanosoma cruzi for different purposes [16,17,18] Among the applications, it was employed for infection determination or for localization of specific antigen on the parasite using antibody conjugated fluorescent markers. These studies are fundamental for the validation of the biological and medical applications [28]
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