Quantitative molecular profiling of biomarkers for pancreatic cancer with functionalized quantum dots.

Unlabelled: Applications in nanomedicine, such as diagnostics and targeted therapeutics, rely on the detection and targeting of membrane biomarkers. In this article we demonstrate absolute quantitative profiling, spatial mapping, and multiplexing of cancer biomarkers using functionalized quantum dots (QDs). We demonstrate highly selective targeting molecular markers for pancreatic cancer with extremely low levels of nonspecific binding.

Quantitative characterization of the lipid encapsulation of quantum dots for biomedical applications.

Unlabelled: The water solubilization of nanoparticles is key for many applications in biomedicine. Despite the importance of surface functionalization, progress has been largely empirical and very few systematic studies have been performed. Here we report on the water solubilization of quantum dots using lipid encapsulation.

Antimicrobial behavior of polyelectrolyte-surfactant thin film assemblies.

Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly, a technique that alternately deposites cationic and anionic materials, has proven to be a powerful technique for assembling thin films with a variety of properties and applications. The present work incorporates the antimicrobial agent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the cationic layer and uses poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as the anionic layer. When the films are exposed to a humid environment, these agents diffuse out of the film, inhibiting bacterial growth in neighboring regions.