Refine
Has Fulltext
- no (4)
Document Type
- Article (4)
Language
- English (4)
Is part of the Bibliography
- yes (4)
Institute
Time- and color-resolved detection of Foerster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from luminescent terbium complexes to different semiconductor quantum dots results in a fivefold multiplexed bioassay with sub-picomolar detection limits for all five bioanalytes (see picture). The detection of up to five biomarkers occurs with a sensitivity that is 40-240-fold higher than one of the best-established single-analyte reference assays.
In this microreview we describe the principle of Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) occurring between closely spaced energy-donor and -acceptor molecules. The theoretical treatment is depicted in relation with the data extractable from spectroscopic measurements. We present the specific case of semiconductor nanocrystals (or quantum dots QDs) as energy donors in FRET experiments and a particular emphasis is put on the specific advantages of these fluorophores with regard to both their exceptional photophysical properties and their nanoscopic morphology. In a following section, the special attributes of luminescent lanthanide complexes (LLCs) are outlined with illustrations of properties such as their characteristic emission spectra, long-lived luminescence, and large "Stokes shift". Finally, the successful combination of LLCs and QDs in FRET experiments is demonstrated, showing the unrivaled benefits of this singular marriage, opening doors for energy transfer at very large distances and excellent sensitivity of detection within the frame of time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008).
Using a regioselective strategy for nucleophilic aromatic substitution on polyfluoropyridines, a nonacoordinating precursor was designed that is adequately suited for complexation of lanthanide cations. Further functionalizations afforded numerous applications for near-IR emission, two-photon absorption spectroscopy, or the formation of luminescent gels.