Glucose/galactose/dextran-functionalized quantum dots, iron oxide and doped semiconductor nanoparticles with <100 nm hydrodynamic diameter

Abstract

Cyanoborohydride based mild conjugation chemistry has been exploited for the covalent linkage between the reducing end of carbohydrates and primary amine terminated nanoparticles. The conjugation method has been extended to different nanoparticles such as quantum dots (QDs), iron oxide or doped semiconductor nanoparticles and different carbohydrates like maltose, lactose or dextran. Water soluble nanoparticles with a tunable surface charge and a hydrodynamic diameter between 20–100 nm have been synthesized that are terminated with glucose, galactose or dextrans of different molecular weights. Carbohydrate functionalized nanoparticles have been successfully used as nanoprobes for glycoprotein sensing and cellular targeting/imaging applications. The results show that carbohydrate functionalization offers enhanced labeling specificity and reduces the non-specific binding of nanoparticles.