@article {49150, title = {Evaluating the potential of using quantum dots for monitoring electrical signals in neurons.}, journal = {Nature Nanotechnology}, volume = {13}, year = {2018}, month = {2018 Apr}, pages = {278-288}, abstract = {

Success in the projects aimed at providing an advanced understanding of the brain is directly predicated on making critical advances in nanotechnology. This Perspective addresses the unique interface of neuroscience and nanomaterials by considering the foundational problem of sensing neuron membrane voltage and offers a potential solution that may be facilitated by a prototypical nanomaterial. Despite substantial improvements, the visualization of instantaneous voltage changes within individual neurons, whether in cell culture or in vivo, at both the single-cell and network level at high speed remains complex and problematic. The unique properties of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have made them powerful fluorophores for bioimaging. What is not widely appreciated, however, is that QD photoluminescence is exquisitely sensitive to proximal electric fields. This property should be suitable for sensing voltage changes that occur in the active neuronal membrane. Here, we examine the potential role of QDs in addressing the important challenge of real-time optical voltage imaging.

}, issn = {1748-3395}, doi = {10.1038/s41565-018-0107-1}, author = {Efros, Alexander L and Delehanty, James B and Huston, Alan L and Medintz, Igor L and Barbic, Mladen and Harris, Timothy D} } @article {46744, title = {Visualization and neuronal cell targeting during electrophysiological recordings facilitated by quantum dots.}, journal = {Proceedings of SPIE}, volume = {9305}, year = {2015}, month = {2015 Mar 10}, pages = {9305Y}, abstract = {

The simultaneous visualization, identification and targeting of neurons during patch clamp-mediated electrophysiological recordings is a basic technique in neuroscience, yet it is often complicated by the inability to visualize the pipette tip, particularly in deep brain tissue. Here we demonstrate a novel approach in which fluorescent quantum dot probes are used to coat pipettes prior to their use. The strong two-photon absorption cross sections of the quantum dots afford robust contrast at significantly deeper penetration depths than current methods allow. We demonstrate the utility of this technique in multiple recording formats both in vitro and in vivo where imaging of the pipettes is achieved at remarkable depths (up to 800 microns). Notably, minimal perturbation of cellular physiology is observed over the hours-long time course of neuronal recordings. We discuss our results within the context of the role that quantum dot nanoprobes may play in understanding neuronal cell physiology.

}, doi = {10.1117/12.2076934}, author = {Field, Lauren D and Andrasfalvy, Bertalan K and Gali{\~n}anes, Gregorio L and Huber, Daniel and Barbic, Mladen and Macklin, John J and Susumu, Kimihiro and Delehanty, James B and Huston, Alan L and Makara, Judit K and Medintz, Igor L} } @article {45812, title = {Quantum dot-based multiphoton fluorescent pipettes for targeted neuronal electrophysiology.}, journal = {Nature Methods}, volume = {11}, year = {2014}, month = {2014 Dec}, pages = {1237-41}, abstract = {

Targeting visually identified neurons for electrophysiological recording is a fundamental neuroscience technique; however, its potential is hampered by poor visualization of pipette tips in deep brain tissue. We describe quantum dot-coated glass pipettes that provide strong two-photon contrast at deeper penetration depths than those achievable with current methods. We demonstrated the pipettes{\textquoteright} utility in targeted patch-clamp recording experiments and single-cell electroporation of identified rat and mouse neurons in vitro and in vivo.

}, issn = {1548-7105}, doi = {10.1038/nmeth.3146}, author = {Andrasfalvy, Bertalan K and Gali{\~n}anes, Gregorio L and Huber, Daniel and Barbic, Mladen and Macklin, John J and Susumu, Kimihiro and Delehanty, James B and Huston, Alan L and Makara, Judit K and Medintz, Igor L} }