Polysaccharides, one of the abundant biomacromolecules in nature, have much potential in diverse applications. They have bio applications as both energy sources and as important information coding in living systems, including cell differentiation, cell�cell recognition, pathogen identification, etc.However, many issues remain unresolved because the study of the interaction between polysaccharides and proteins/cells is challenging to study.The fluorescent imaging of polysaccharides can provide a direct-vision of the function of polysaccharides and its interaction with cells. However, the direct labeling of natural polysaccharides is not easy since the complexity of their structures. Conversely, a synthetic glycopolymer is an ideal model for mimicking polysaccharides and can be easily modified with fluorescent tags for imaging. So far, some synthetic glycopolymers with fluorescent monomers have already been made to tracking the polysaccharide-protein interaction in vitro and in vivo.In this current work, we present the synthesis of quantum dots-glycopolymer conjugates (QD-GPs, Figure.1). Compared with normal fluorescent dyes, quantum dots (QDs) provide higher photo-luminescence for sharp and tunable excitation spectra, and offer suitable scaffolds for glycopolymer to achieve long-term colloidal stability in aqueous system. We hope this type of conjugates can become a convenient imaging tool for study polysaccharide-cell interaction.

Quantum dots-glycopolymer conjugates (QD-GPs): An imaging tool for the study of polysaccharide-cell interactions

248th National Meeting (2014)

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