First, I apologize
if this announcement is too commercial in nature - however several academic
confocal microscopists recommended that I make a post to this listserver to tell
you about a new type of fluorescence probe that we believe will revolutionize
fluorescence microscopy.
We have now released the first qdot bio-labeling product.
These are built upon quantum dot nanocrystal technology - nanometer sized
semiconductors that fluoresce very brightly. Details of the
photostability, spectra, quantum yield, and staining protocols are available
on our website www.qdots.com.
In summary, we have
observed complete photostability (without any anti-fade additives), and
brightness often greater than an order-of-magnitude higher than
conventional fluorescence dyes. These data were generated using
epi-fluorescence microscopes and fluorescence plate readers. We have only
limited data in confocal microscopy but the data we do have suggests that these
benefits appear also to extend to confocal microscopy.
This first quantum
dot color (605nm emission) can be excited with a 532, 488, 405, or UV
laser. Shorter wavelengths are better, but all of these wavelengths work
well. This first color has quantum yield around 50%, and has a very narrow
emission (<27nm FWHM) with no red-tailing. Additional colors will be
launched in January and further conjugation methods will be available too throughout 2003.
The first kit
retails for $600, and contains the Qdot 605 streptavidin conjugate, sufficient
for at least 100 staining experiments, along with a specially
formulated incubation and dilution buffer.
Andy
Watson
Quantum Dot
Corporation
510 887
8775