Sensing and Biosensing with Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) exhibit unique photophysical properties, turning these nanomaterials into ideal components for the development of optical or optoelectronic sensors and biosensors. Various methods and mechanisms of using QDs for sensing have been implemented, including the probing of recognition events by the luminescence of the QDs, their application in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), electron transfer (ET), chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET), and photoelectrochemical generation of photocurrents. These different mechanisms are exemplified by discussing the QD-based sensing of low-molecular-weight substrates, chiroselective sensing of amino acids, probing of the catalytic activities of enzymes (casein kinase, tyrosinase, NAD+-dependent enzymes), and analysis of DNA and of aptamer-substrate complexes. Specifically, the amplified QD-based sensing of DNA using exonuclease III as target regeneration biocatalyst and the multiplexed detection of DNAs using differently sized QDs are discussed. Also, the implementation of the CRET process for the multiplexed analysis of DNA using differently sized QDs is addressed. Finally, the use of semiconductor QDs for the photoelectrochemical detection of DNA, aptamer-substrate complexes and enzyme activities are discussed. Specifically, the use of QDs for photoelectrochemical sensors, using the CRET process as internal excitation light source, is described. The future applications of the various QD-based sensors as analytical devices and as nanotools that probe intracellular processes are discussed.