Issue 100, 2016

Direct conjugation of antibodies to the ZnS shell of quantum dots for FRET immunoassays with low picomolar detection limits

Abstract

Compact and functional nanoparticle-antibody conjugates are of paramount importance for the development of quantum dot (QD)-based immunoassays. Here, we present a simple strategy to directly conjugate IgG, F(ab′)2, and Fab antibodies via their endogenous disulfide groups directly to the inorganic ZnS shell of compact penicillamine-coated QDs. The functionality of the conjugates was demonstrated by terbium (Tb)-to-QD FRET immunoassays against prostate specific antigen in serum samples. Detection limits of 2.5 pM (0.080 ng mL−1) were 10 and 25 times lower compared to conjugation via maleimide-terminated ligands and polymer chains, respectively. These more compact, simple, and sensitive QD-antibody conjugates will be highly advantageous for nanocrystal-based biosensing applications.

Graphical abstract: Direct conjugation of antibodies to the ZnS shell of quantum dots for FRET immunoassays with low picomolar detection limits

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
04 11 2016
Accepted
24 11 2016
First published
24 11 2016

Chem. Commun., 2016,52, 14423-14425

Direct conjugation of antibodies to the ZnS shell of quantum dots for FRET immunoassays with low picomolar detection limits

S. Bhuckory, L. Mattera, K. D. Wegner, X. Qiu, Y.-T. Wu, L. J. Charbonnière, P. Reiss and N. Hildebrandt, Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 14423 DOI: 10.1039/C6CC08835J

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