Molecular Probes™ Qdot™ 585 ITK™ Amino (PEG) Quantum Dots

Freezing will cause the product to aggregate. The Qdot nanocrystals cannot be dispersed into solution after aggregation.

Once your product undergoes aggregation, it cannot be dispersed back into solution. We recommend purchasing a new product.

You may occasionally observe a small amount of aggregation of the Qdot nanocrystals during proper storage. To remove any aggregates that may have formed prior to use, we recommend centrifuging the vial at 2,000 x g for 1 min. Pipette only the supernatant and avoid the pellet. In our experience, pelleting any aggregates that may have formed typically results in a loss of less than 10% of the product.

We have not systematically investigated the energy transfer properties of the quantum dots, though the quantum dots may have useful properties as both energy transfer donors and acceptors. We have investigated the fluorescence of Qdot 605 Streptavidin conjugates that are coupled to each other through a bis-biotin linker, and found that the emission intensity of the materials was unperturbed at any concentration of biotin cross-linker. These results suggest that the interparticle quenching of these Qdot conjugates is negligible.

The Qdot products contain cadmium and selenium (and tellurium, in the larger particles) in an inorganic crystalline form. We can only advise that you dispose of the material in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations for disposal of these classes of material. For more information on the composition of these materials, consult the Material Safety Data Sheet.

We have not investigated the toxicity of the Qdot nanocrystals. The materials are provided in a solution which is approximately 2 mM total Cd concentration. We have demonstrated the utility of these materials in a variety of live-cell in vitro labeling experiments, but do not have systematic data investigating the toxicity of the materials to humans, to animals, or to cells in culture.

The number of molecules conjugated to one Qdot nanocrystal is based on the ratio of quantum dot:molecule used in the conjugation, the number of available binding sites on the Qdot nanocrystal, and the size of both the Qdot nanocrystal and the molecule of interest. In general, there are 2-3 antibodies, 4-5 biotin molecules, and 6-8 streptavidin molecules per Qdot nanocrystal.

ITK Qdot nanocrystals use the original formulation of outer polymer provided in the first generation of the Qdot products; except for the Amine-PEG products, the outer polymer does not include PEG. The outer polymer of the standard Qdot nanocrystals includes PEG.

There are approximately 80-100 functional groups of each Qdot ITK nanocrystal. We use a type of immunosorbent assay to determine the EC50 of each conjugate.

Yes, you can visualize Qdot nanocrystals using a standard filter; they will excite at any wavelength below their emission. Keep in mind that the lower the excitation value the brighter the Qdot nanocrystal fluorescence output.

Qdot nanocrystals do not require the use of antifades as they do not photobleach or fade in the same manner as a chemical dye. In our studies, Qdot nanocrystals work best with the following mountants:

- HistoMount medium (Cat No. 00-8030); best for long-term archiving
- Cytoseal 60 Mountant
- Clarion Mountant
- Most polyvinyl alcohol-based mountants (limited storage time, less than a week)
- Water-based mountants (limited storage time, less than a week)
- Up to 50% glycerol (limited storage time, less than a week)
Note: We do not recommend using ProLong or SlowFade mounting media with Qdot nanocrystals.

Hydrophilic Qdot nanocrystals are stored and shipped in borate buffer pH 8.3-9.0, and organic Qdot nanocrystals are stored and shipped in decane.

When stored at 4 degrees C, Qdot nanocrystals are stable for approximately 6 months. Qdot nanocrystals should never be frozen due to the possibility of aggregation. The temperature stability of Qdot nanocrystals is summarized below. Please note that fluorescence is not temperature dependent.

<0 degrees C: NEVER freeze Qdot nanocrystals - polymer induces aggregation at freezing temperatures.
>4 degrees C: Core/Shell/Polymer stable at 4 degrees C for ~ 6 months. May be filter sterilized using uncharged filters.
<60 degrees C: Core/Shell/Polymer stable at 60 degrees C (as in in situ hybridization).
<65 degrees C: Core/Shell/Polymer stable at 65 degrees C for only ~1 hour, beyond 1 hour, emission drops off.
<100 degrees C: Core/Shell/Polymer stable up to 100 degrees C brief exposure. OK for 5 minutes at 100 degrees C.
<360 degrees C: Only Core/Shell stable up to 360 degrees C.

Qdot nanocrystals are most stable at pH 6-9, and marginal stability of Qdot nanocrystals is shown down to a pH 5. Qdot nanocrystals should not be used at pH > 9 due to the possibility of self-aggregation and clumping, and Qdot nanocrystals should not be used pH less than 4 as the polymer and exposed core/shell will begin to dissociate. For more information on Qdot nanocrystals and recommended pH ranges, see pH Ranges for Qdot Nanocrystals (https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/brands/molecular-probes/key-molecular-probes-products/qdot/qdot-reg--nanocrystal0.html)

You can use Qdot nanocrystals with FRET applications in two scenarios:

- Qdot nanocrystals as donors with fluorescent dyes as acceptors
- Lanthanide (terbium, europium, etc.) as donors with Qdot nanocrystals as acceptors
Note: You cannot perform FRET experiments using Qdot nanocrystals as both donor and acceptor.

We offer amino (PEG), carboxyl, and streptavidin-functionalized Qdot Innovator's Tool Kit ITK Nanocrystals for the preparation of custom conjugates of proteins or other biomolecules. Amino (PEG)-derivitized forms can be coupled to isothiocyanates and succinimidyl esters or with native carboxylic acids using water-soluble carbodiimides. Carboxyl-derivitized forms can be coupled to amine groups of proteins and modified oligonucleotides. Streptavidin-derivitized forms can be bound with biotinylated conjugates to form stable labeled complexes.

Qdot nanocrystals and bioconjugates are ideal for experiments requiring long-term photostability or single-excitation, multicolor analysis. Some example applications include:

- Flow cytometry
- Cell and tissue staining
- Cell tracking
- WesternDot western blotting
- In vivo imaging

Qdot nanocrystals offer many advantages over traditional fluorescent dyes:

- Qdot nanocrystals have a broad excitation range, and they can be excited by any wavelength below their emission peak. The lower the excitation wavelength, the higher the extinction coefficient and Qdot nanocrystal brightness.
- Multicolor detection using Qdot nanocrystals can be done using a single excitation wavelength.
- Qdot nanocrystals exhibit a large Stokes shift.
- Qdot nanocrystals have a narrow emission band.
- Qdot nanocrystals have excellent photostability compared to traditional fluorescent dyes.

A Qdot nanocrystal is comprises four basic layers. Listed from inner core to outer shell, these are:

1) Core nanocrystal (CdSe or CdSeTe): Determines the color of the Qdot nanocrystal
2) Inorganic shell (ZnS): Improves brightness and stability of the Qdot nanocrystal
3) Organic/polymer coating: Provides water solubility and/or functional groups for conjugation
4) Biomolecule: Covalently attached to the polymer shell and can include antibodies, streptavidin, receptor ligands, or oligonucleotides.