Tracking individual proteins in living cells using single quantum dot imaging

Single quantum dot imaging is a powerful approach to probe the complex dynamics of individual biomolecules in living systems. Due to their remarkable photophysical properties and relatively small size, quantum dots can be used as ultrasensitive detection probes. They make possible the study of biological processes, both in the membrane or in the cytoplasm, at a truly molecular scale and with high spatial and temporal resolutions. This chapter presents methods used for tracking single biomolecules coupled to quantum dots in living cells from labeling procedures to the analysis of the quantum dot motion.