Abstract
Liposomes are being studied as drug delivery systems, membrane models, as well as encapsulating systems of nanostructured materials for cellular imaging and diagnostics applications. Taking advantage of the use of Quantum Dots (QDs) as fluorescent probes over many conventional fluorescent dyes, several research groups are developing methods to encapsulate lypophilic and hydrophilic QDs into liposomes either in the aqueous compartment or in their bilayer in order to have a multifunctional system and provide therapy and diagnostics at the same time [1].In this work, Cadmium Telluride/Cadmium Sulfide (CdTe/CdS) quantum dots functionalized with mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) was synthesized in aqueous medium and characterized by optical spectroscopy and X-Ray diffractometry. Synthesis was carried out by adding Te−2 to a Cd+2/MPA refluxed for 7 h at ∼ 95°C. Cationic multifluorescent quantum dot liposomes (QD-Ls) formed by phosphatidylcholine (PC) and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane(DOTAP) (80:20) were prepared by lipid film hydration with pure water. QDs were encapsulated by a new method using freeze-and-thaw cycle. Liposomes (100 or 800 nm in diameter) encapsulating QDs were characterized by zeta potential, size distribution, fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy and show great potential for diagnostic purposes.[1] G. D. Bothun, A. E. Rabideau, and M. A. Stoner, J. Phys. Chem B Lett 2009 113, 7725-7728.Support: FACEPE, CNPq, INCT de Fotonica.
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