Design, Synthesis and Characterization of Biocompatible Quantum Dots for Application in Biophysics

Abstract

Quantum dots are promising fluorescent tools for many applications in the life sciences. They are bright, easily tunable in color, and extremely stable against photobleaching. However, rendering these nanomaterials water-soluble and biocompatible, while maintaining their advantageous optical properties, small size and chemical stability, is not a trivial task. The presented dissertation is devoted to the design, synthesis, modification and characterization of different quantum dot preparations and to the optimization of their properties towards biocompatibility. Moreover, the fundamental principles of fluorescence intermittency and the quenching of quantum dot luminescence by various thiolated ligands were investigated and discussed.