The Indium Phosphide-based, molecular plated T2-MP EviTags in deep red colours is set to offer numerous benefits for the Life Science research sector by incorporating three significant developments: a new ternary (a three component) core material system, new molecular plating shells, and a natural coating on the outer layer.
The emergence of QDs as a viable tracking tool has caused considerable waves within the research community. The semiconductor nanocrystals fluoresce when excited by a light source, emitting bright colours that can identify and track properties and processes in various biological applications.
Despite its bulk form, QDs exhibit a transformation in their optical, electronic, magnetic or even chemical properties when manifesting below a critical dimension (typically <10nm).
They have significant advantages over traditional fluorophores as they can be predictably tuned according to their size, shape and intrinsic solid-state properties. Their flexibility means it has applications in cell biology, drug discovery, cancer research and other fields.
At the core of the proprietary technology is Evident's Indium Gallium Phosphide (InGaP) quantum dots, which are coated with a metallic molecular plating. The Molecular Plate is lattice matched, with a matched pattern of atoms, to improve its molecular bonding to the core.
This results in a quantum dot with high brightness and increased stability for longer lasting fluorescence. Evident Technologies further enveloped the plated InGaP quantum dots with a natural coating.
The nature of this technology makes it suitable for applications such as in vivo imaging, including live cell and even whole animal imaging, blood cancer assays, and numerous other applications.
This coating allows for high stability in water as well as in harsh environments encountered in biological assays, and is potentially less toxic to cells than traditional heavy metal quantum dots.
"To our knowledge, these are the first commercially available bright, long-lasting, quantum dots that do not contain heavy metals," said Clinton Ballinger, CEO of Evident Technologies. "We expect continued use and testing of these EviTags fluorescent labels to open new avenues for life science research."
Ballinger said that the T2-MP EviTags offered a potential advantage over traditional quantum dots, especially the possibility of lower toxicity. When further developed, a wider range of colours into the near infrared would "open up potentially vast markets in the European Union and Japan, where researchers have been hesitant to experiment with traditional quantum dots since they typically contain heavy metals that require special handling."
The new T2-MP EviTags are available in the deep red wavelengths used in life science research, and offer the possibility of creating new classes of assays for use where current-testing materials could produce cytotoxicity or cell death.
"Deep red colours are of particular interest to the biological researcher," said Alex Davies, of Antibodies Inc. "Having a biologically compatible quantum dot label also lets us further explore in vivo assays, following cells inside living organism to get a new understanding of life."
The product will have special relevance to customers in Japan following the recent health concerns over Cadmium.
"Many of our customers have asked for an alternative material and we are pleased that the team at Evident has completed the development of this new material system," commented Shingo Funaki, president of photonics company Ocean Photonics.
According to Business Communications Company (BCC), the total global market for quantum dots is expected to exceed $0.5bn (€384m) despite its expense and the novelty of this technology. The core of this industry drive is expected to play out in the life sciences and biomedical arena. The current total global market for quantum dots is currently estimated at $10m
The deep red T2-MP EviTags are available immediately in wavelengths of Macoun Red (650nm) and Jonamac Red (680nm), with carboxyl, amine, biotin and non-functionalised surfaces.