Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Mapping Molecular Diffusion in the Plasma Membrane by Multiple-Target Tracing (MTT)
Published on: May 27, 2012
Tracking bio-molecules in live cells using quantum dots
Yun-Pei Chang1, Fabien Pinaud, Joshua Antelman
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at Los Angeles, 607 Charles Young Drive, East Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, USA. ypchang@chem.ucla.edu
Abstract:
Single particle tracking (SPT) techniques were developed to explore bio-molecules dynamics in live cells at single molecule sensitivity and nanometer spatial resolution. Recent developments in quantum dots (Qdots) surface coating and bio-conjugation schemes have made them most suitable probes for live cell applications. Here we review recent advancements in using quantum dots as SPT probes for live cell experiments.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Dynamics in Living Cells
Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a fluorescent-protein-based detection technique used to quantify protein movement rates within the cell. This method exposes a small portion of the cell to an intense laser beam. The laser beam causes permanent photobleaching of the fluorophore-tagged proteins in the exposed region. As the bleached...
Labeling DNA Probes
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...

