BIOFUNCTIONALIZED QUANTUM DOTS FOR BIOLOGICAL IMAGING

• US 20110033954A1
• Filed: 07/28/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Government Of The United States Of America, Represented By The Secretary, Department Of Health And Human Services
• Original Assignee: Government Of The United States Of America, Represented By The Secretary, Department Of Health And Human Services
• Inventors: Svarovsky, Serge A., Barchi, Joseph J. JR.
• Application Number:
  US12/845,177
• Publication Number:
  US 20110033954A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/529
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2039/55555 Liposomes; Vesicles, e.g. nanoparticles; Spheres, e.g. nanospheres; Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 39/0011 Cancer antigens
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0052 Small organic molecules oligomers, polymers, dendrimers A61K49/0054
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0058 Antibodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0067 quantum dots, fluorescent nanocrystals
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 5/00 Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery

Abstract

Novel biofunctionalized quantum dots include a mercaptoalkanoic acid linked to the surface of a nanocrystalline core and a biofunctional group linked to the surface. Biofunctionalized quantum dots are made by a novel synthesis method. Biofunctionalized quantum dots can be used in imaging or therapy applications.

Claims

1. A biofunctionalized quantum dot, comprising:

a nanocrystalline core exhibiting quantum confinement and having a band gap and a surface;

a mercaptoalkanoic acid linked to the surface; and

a biofunctional group linked to the surface,

wherein the biofunctional group comprises a saccharide or the mercaptoalkanoic acid is linked to the surface of the nanocrystalline core without a shell layer.

2. The biofunctionalized quantum dot of claim 1,

the mercaptoalkanoic acid having exactly one carboxyl group and comprising less than seven carbon atoms.

3. The biofunctionalized quantum dot of claim 1,

the mercaptoalkanoic acid comprising mercaptoacetic acid.

4. The biofunctionalized quantum dot of claim 1, further comprising:

a shell layer overcoating the nanocrystalline core.

5. The biofunctionalized quantum dot of claim 4,

the shell layer comprising cadmium sulfide or mercury sulfide;

and

the nanocrystalline core comprising cadmium telluride or cadmium selenide or mercury telluride or mercury selenide.

6. The biofunctionalized quantum dot of claim 1,

the saccharide not comprising mannose or dextran.

7. The biofunctionalized quantum dot of claim 1,

the saccharide being selected from the group consisting of a tumor-associated antigen and Thomsen-Friedenreich disaccharide.

8. The biofunctionalized quantum dot of claim 1,

the saccharide linked to a sulfur atom;

and

the sulfur atom linked to the surface of the nanocrystalline core.

9. The biofunctionalized quantum dot of claim 1,

the saccharide linked to a linking group;

the linking group linked to a sulfur atom; and

the sulfur atom linked to the surface of the nanocrystalline core.

10. The biofunctionalized quantum dot of claim 9,

the linking group comprising a carbon atom.

11. The biofunctionalized quantum dot of claim 1, wherein the biofunctionalized quantum dot is stable in aqueous solution under storage in the dark at 4°

C. for at least 4 months with respect to luminescence, precipitation, flocculation, and leaching of the biofunctional group.