Uptake and processing of semiconductor quantum dots in living cells studied by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM)

Abstract

Carboxylate-terminated and dopamine-conjugated CdSe–ZnS quantum dots (QDs) are imaged in living fibroblasts using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. Changes in lifetime are observed as the QDs are processed in the cells, and are consistent with lifetime measurements in bulk solution using buffers compositions that correspond to different cellular regions.