Design of the Model of Ratiometric Polymer Nanobiothermometer Based on Quantum Dots

To solve many modern biological and biotechnological tasks it is necessary to realize strictly control and regulation of temperature of the cells and their organelles. Thi stasks include control of various exo- and endothermic reactions, monitoring of tissues‘ and individual cell‘s temperature in in vitro researches and in vivo procedures such as the hyperthermia procedure that used for cancer treatment. The today known methods of measuring and controlling of temperature at the cellular level can not provide the necessary level of locality and accuracy due to too big size and heightened sensitivity to external factors. The real alternative of existing today methods is nanoscale temperature biosensor operating on a ratiometric principle and based on the composite structure from polymers and colloidal quantum dots. In this paper we present a working model and plan of investigation of ratiometric nanoscale polymer nanobiothermometer based on quantum dots. Keywords: thermosensors, quantum dots, local temperature, polymers, temperature measuremen

Technology for Creation and Detailed Analysis of Polymer Composites with Uniform Distribution of Quantum Dots and Liquid Crystals

One of the most actual tasks in biotechnology is the creation of a new generation of nanobiosensors with improved brightness, photo stability, and sensitivity. Compositions of polymers and colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are the most promising base to develop such sensors. This work presents the technology for creation and detailed analysis of nanostructured composite films based on polypropylene matrices with uniformly distributed CdSe/ZnS quantum dots and liquid crystals. Methods of optical microscopy, scanning probe microscopy and confocal fluorescen tmicrospectroscopy were used. The presence of liquid crystals in the composite allows additional control of QDs fluorescence. The methodology proposed is applicable not only to polypropylene, but also to other porous polymers. The results of this work indicate the possibility of creating high-quality polymer/QDs composite materials and open the way to the development of nanomaterials (nanosensors) with optical properties sensitive to various environmental parameters (electric field, photo irradiation, mechanical action, etc.). Keywords: quantum dot-polymer composites, nanoporous polypropylene, fluorescenc