The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 14, 2012
Filed:
Jul. 31, 2007
Heather A. Clark, Lexington, MA (US);
Daniel I. Harjes, Cambridge, MA (US);
John M. Dubach, Somerville, MA (US);
Heather A. Clark, Lexington, MA (US);
Daniel I. Harjes, Cambridge, MA (US);
John M. Dubach, Somerville, MA (US);
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
The invention provides ion-selective sensors comprising quantum dots capable of selectively measuring ions, e.g., Na, K, Cl, etc., in various environments, including in the cytosol of a living cell. Quantum dots are attractive probes for microscopy due to their photophysical advantages over fluorescent dyes, including prolonged photostability, brightness and quantum efficiency. In certain embodiments, a sensor comprises one or more quantum dots, a pH-sensitive dye, and optionally an ion-selective component such as an ionophore. These elements may, for example, be disposed in a polymer matrix. In certain embodiments, the sensors may detect ionic analytes by selective ion extraction by the polymer, thereby inducing a pH change within the sensor which in turn changes the absorbance of the pH-sensitive dye. The change of absorbance may in turn attenuate the intensity of detectable emissions, e.g., fluorescence, from the quantum dot by directly absorbing its fluorescence emission.