ZnO QD@PMAA-co-PDMAEMA nonviral vector for plasmid DNA delivery and bioimaging

Low cytotoxic ZnO quantum dot-based nonviral vectors with the dual functions of delivering plasmid DNA and labeling cells were fabricated by capping the surface of ZnO QD with poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA), which was synthesized in situ by radical polymerization. The polycation-modified ZnO QDs were capable of condensing plasmid DNA into nanocomplexes (Qdot-plexes) loaded with ZnO QDs emitting strong yellow luminescence under UV light. The Qdotplexes could mediate an efficient transfer of plasmid DNA into COS-7 cells with much lower cytotoxicity, meanwhile allowing real-time imaging of gene transfection. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.