Detection and identification of biological materials using functionalized quantum dots

摘要

A method and apparatus has been invented to detect and identify biological materials and their properties based on the affinity of water-soluble, semiconductor nanocrystals bioconjugates. A plurality of nanocrystals comprise quantum dots of varying sizes functionalized with one or more material or compound, where one size left un-conjugated, are contacted in solution with biological materials from a sample and then separated using a filter. The plurality of quantum dots act as a test to detect the presence or absence of a target material in a given sample, with those having an affinity remaining bound to the biological materials and subsequently trapping in the filter. The quantum dot bioconjugates form functional particles and may be conjugated with several layers, such as primary and secondary antibodies. An emitter laser or lamp is used to activate the quantum dots. The biological material is captured and immobilized in a filter which is formed in a connectable apparatus, which is inverted to employ the inventive methods. A detector is used to detect the fluorescence emitted from each size of quantum dots present that may, or may not, be tagged to the biological materials captured in the filter.