Ensemble and single particle photophysical properties (two‐photon excitation, anisotropy, FRET, lifetime, spectral conversion) of commercial quantum dots in solution and in live cells

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Abstract
In this work, we characterized streptavidin‐conjugated quantum dots (QDs) manufactured by Quantum Dot Corporation. We present data on: (1) two‐photon excitation; (2) fluorescence lifetimes; (3) ensemble and single QD emission anisotropy; (4) QDs as donors for Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET); and (5) spectral conversion of QDs exposed to high‐intensity illumination. We also demonstrate the utility of QDs for (1) imaging the binding and uptake of biotinylated transferrin on living cells, and (2) resolving by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) signals originating from QDs from those of spatially and spectrally overlapping visible fluorescent proteins (VFPs). Microsc. Res. Tech. 65:169–179, 2004.