Semiconductor nanocrystal probes for biological applications and process for making and using such probes

Abstract

A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.

1 . A semiconductor nanocrystal compound capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, said semiconductor nanocrystal compound comprising:
 a) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals, each capable of, in response to exposure to said first energy, providing said second energy; and   b) one or more linking agents, at least a portion of which said linking agents are linked to said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals.   
     
     
         2 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 1  wherein said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals in said compound are capable of receiving said first energy by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). 
     
     
         3 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 1  wherein said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals in said compound are capable of providing said second energy by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). 
     
     
         4 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 1  wherein said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals in said compound are capable of receiving said first energy by exposure to radiation. 
     
     
         5 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 4  wherein each of said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals is capable of absorbing said radiation over a wide bandwidth. 
     
     
         6 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 1  wherein said second energy results from diffraction and/or scattering of said first energy by at least one of said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals. 
     
     
         7 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 1  wherein said second energy results from absorption of said first energy by at least one of said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals. 
     
     
         8 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 1  wherein said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals in said compound are capable of providing said second energy as electromagnetic radiation emitted by said semiconductor nanocrystals. 
     
     
         9 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 1  wherein each of said one or more linking agents is capable of linking to said one or more affinity molecules. 
     
     
         10 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 1  wherein said one or more linking agents include a glass coating on said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals, and said glass coating is capable of being linked to said one or more affinity molecules. 
     
     
         11 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 10  wherein said glass coating on said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals comprises a coating of silica glass. 
     
     
         12 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said one or more linking agents comprises:
 a) a first linking agent linked to at least one of said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals; and 
 b) a second linking agent:
 i) linked to said first linking agent on said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals; and 
 ii) capable of linking to said one or more affinity molecules. 
 
 
     
     
         13 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 1  comprising two or more semiconductor nanocrystals wherein, in response to exposure to said first energy, said second energy provided by a first of said two or more semiconductor nanocrystals is different than said second energy provided by a second of said two or more semiconductor nanocrystals. 
     
     
         14 . A semiconductor nanocrystal compound capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, said semiconductor nanocrystal compound comprising:
 a) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals, each capable of, in response to exposure to said first energy, providing said second energy; and   b) one or more first linking agents to which said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals are linked, each of said one or more first linking agents capable of linking to:
 i) one or more second linking agents; or 
 ii) one or more affinity molecules. 
   
     
     
         15 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 14  wherein at least one of said one or more first linking agents comprises a three-dimensional shaped structure capable of having linked thereto said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals. 
     
     
         16 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 15  wherein said three-dimensional shaped structure is capable of being linked, by embedding, to said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals. 
     
     
         17 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 15  wherein said three-dimensional shaped structure is capable of being linked, by adherence, to said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals. 
     
     
         18 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 15  wherein said three-dimensional shaped structure further comprises one or more organic materials. 
     
     
         19 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 15  wherein said three-dimensional shaped structure further comprises one or more inorganic materials. 
     
     
         20 . The semiconductor nanocrystal compound of  claim 15  wherein said three-dimensional shaped structure comprises a porous solid structure which encapsulates said one or more semiconductor nanocrystals. 
     
     
         21 .- 155 . (canceled)