Issue 1, 2010

Photosensitization of CdSe/ZnS QDs and reliability of assays for reactive oxygen species production

Abstract

CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) conjugated to biomolecules that can act as electron donors are said to be “photosensitized”: that is, they are able to oxidize or reduce molecules whose redox potential lies inside their band edges, in particular molecular oxygen and water. This leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phototoxicity. In this work, we quantify the generation of different forms of ROS from as-synthesized QDs in toluene; water-solubilized, unconjugated QDs; QDs conjugated to the neurotransmitterdopamine; and dopamine alone. Results of indirect fluorescent ROSassays, both in solution and inside cells, are compared with those of spin-trap electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). The effect of these particles on the metabolism of mammalian cells is shown to be dependent upon light exposure and proportional to the amount of ROS generated.

Graphical abstract: Photosensitization of CdSe/ZnS QDs and reliability of assays for reactive oxygen species production

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
16 Jun 2009
Accepted
24 Aug 2009
First published
29 Sep 2009

Nanoscale, 2010,2, 114-121

Photosensitization of CdSe/ZnS QDs and reliability of assays for reactive oxygen species production

D. R. Cooper, N. M. Dimitrijevic and J. L. Nadeau, Nanoscale, 2010, 2, 114 DOI: 10.1039/B9NR00130A

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