Honors Theses and Capstones
Date of Award
Spring 2022
Project Type
Senior Honors Thesis
College or School
COLSA
Department
BMCB
Program or Major
Biochemistry, Molecular, and Cellular Biology
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
First Advisor
Krisztina Varga
Abstract
Ligand-capped quantum dots are microscopic semiconductors commonly used in biomedical research and therapy for cell imaging and drug delivery. Despite the abundance of in vivo applications, the nature of interactions between the nanocrystals and the amino acids comprising human proteins remains insufficiently investigated. In this work, we report on the synthesis, ligand exchange, and characterization of the L-malic acid-capped CdS quantum dots via various spectroscopic techniques. We also assess the ligand-capped nanocrystals as potential probes for some amino acids. We determine that in the presence of L-cysteine, the L-malic acid-capped CdS quantum dots fluorescence signal quenches drastically, thus indicating a good potential the nanocrystals may have as the bio detectors of L-cysteine. Additionally, we review some of the previous experiments involving ligand-capped quantum dots and various analytes, including amino acids and their derivatives, pharmaceutical drugs, and bioactive compounds.
Recommended Citation
Potapenko, Andrei A., "Characterization of L-malic acid-capped CdS Quantum Dots and Examination of the Nanoncrystal's Biosensor Ability" (2022). Honors Theses and Capstones. 620.
https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/620