Quantum Dot – NanoLuc Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer Enables Tumor Imaging and Lymph Node Mapping In Vivo

摘要

A small luciferase protein (Nluc) was conjugated to QDs as a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) pair. The conjugate showed 76% BRET efficiency and lymph node mapping was successfully performed. cRGD peptide was conjugated to QD-Nluc for tumor targeting. The self-illuminating QD-Nluc showed excellent energy transfer in a living system and offered optimal tumor-to-background ratio (>85).