Quantum Dots FRET-Based Probes for Cellular Assays

University Of New Orleans, New Orleans LA

Investigators

Abstract

In this two-year award, funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Division of Chemistry, Professor Matthew A. Tarr and Prof. Zeev Rosenzweig of the University of New Orleans, along with their graduate and undergraduate research students, plan to synthesize protected CdSe/ZnS quantum dots to be used for intracellular chemical assays. The PIs and their team will study protease activity in living cells, and will develop microfluidic methods for their whole-cell assays, in collaboration with colleagues at NIST-Gaithersburg . The ultimate goal of these studies is to develop quantitative methods for intracellular chemical imaging. Besides the broader scientific and technological impact of this research, Profs. Tarr and Rosenzweig will provide their diverse group of research students with a unique interdisciplinary graduate research experience. The PIs will also develop outreach activities with their graduate students to provide one-to-one mentoring between UNO graduate students and high school students in New Orleans.