Organo Luminescent semiconductor nanocrystal probes for biological applications and process for making and using such probes

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872692

Weiss, Shimon ^[1]; Alivisatos, Paul ^[2]

---

1. Pinole, CA
2. Oakland, CA

A luminescent semiconductor nanocrystal compound is described which is capable of linking to an affinity molecule. The compound comprises (1) a semiconductor nanocrystal capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation (luminescing) in a narrow wavelength band and/or absorbing energy, and/or scattering or diffracting electromagnetic radiation--when excited by an electromagnetic radiation source (of narrow or broad bandwidth) or a particle beam; and (2) at least one linking agent, having a first portion linked to the semiconductor nanocrystal and a second portion capable of linking to an affinity molecule. The luminescent semiconductor nanocrystal compound is linked to an affinity molecule to form an organo luminescent semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with a detectable substance in a material being analyzed, and capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in a narrow wavelength band and/or absorbing, scattering, or diffracting energy when excited by an electromagnetic radiation source (of narrow or broad bandwidth) or a particle beam. The probe is stable to repeated exposure to light in the presence of oxygen and/or other radicals. Further described is a process for making the luminescent semiconductor nanocrystal compound and for making the organo luminescent semiconductor nanocrystal probe comprising the luminescent semiconductor nanocrystal compound linked to an affinity molecule capable of bonding to a detectable substance. A process is also described for using the probe to determine the presence of a detectable substance in a material.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5990479
• OSTI ID: 872692
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

organo
luminescent
semiconductor
nanocrystal
probes
biological
applications
process
compound
described
capable
linking
affinity
molecule
comprises
emitting
electromagnetic
radiation
luminescing
narrow
wavelength
band
absorbing
energy
scattering
diffracting
radiation-when
excited
source
broad
bandwidth
particle
beam
agent
portion
linked
form
probe
bonding
detectable
substance
material
analyzed
stable
repeated
exposure
light
presence
oxygen
radicals
comprising
determine
luminescent semiconductor
particle beam
electromagnetic radiation
radiation source
broad band
broad bandwidth
wavelength band
semiconductor nanocrystal
narrow wavelength
portion capable
probe capable
linking agent
/250/252/356/378/422/436/