IBMS Congress

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Quantum dots

Session 1

Cellular Pathology

Dr. Richard Byers, Senior Lecturer in Pathology, University of Manchester

Learning outcomes

• Nature and optical properties of QDs
• Use in live animal imaging
• Use in immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization
• Use in electron microscopy
• Potential value in multiplex imaging and spectral imaging

Quantum dots are novel nanocrystal fluorophores with extremely high fluorescence efficiency and minimal photobleaching. They also possess a constant excitation wavelength together with sharp and symmetrical tuneable emission spectra.

These unique optical properties make them near perfect fluorescent markers and there has recently been rapid development of their use for bio-imaging. They can be conjugated to a wide range of biological targets, including proteins, antibodies, and nucleic acid probes, rendering them of particular interest to pathology researchers. They have been used in multiplex immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation, which when combined with multispectral imaging, has enabled quantitative measurement of gene expression in situ. This lecture will review the above and provide tips for their practical use in a range of applications.