Novel molecular recognition via fluorescent resonance energy transfer using a biotin-PEG/polyamine stabilized CdS quantum dot

A novel functionally PEGylated quantum dot (QD) was prepared by a coprecipitation method in the presence of the biotin-PEG/polyamine block copolymer. When CdCl₂ and Na₂S were mixed in aqueous media in the presence of the biotin-PEG-b-poly(2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) [biotin-PEG/PAMA], a CdS QD with a size of ca. 5 nm was prepared. The polyamine segment was anchored on the surface of the formed CdS nanoparticle, whereas the PEG segment was tethered on the surface to form a hydrophilic palisade, thus improving the dispersion stability in aqueous media even under a high salt concentration condition. An effective fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) was observed by the specific interaction of the biotin-PEG/PAMA stabilized CdS QD with TexasRed-labeled streptavidin of the physiological ionic strength of 0.15 M. The extent of the energy transfer was in proportion to the concentration of the TexasRed-streptavidin. This FRET system using the PEGylated CdS QD coupled, with fluorescent-labeled protein can be utilized as a highly sensitive bioanalytical system.