Polyvalent lactose-quantum dot conjugate for fluorescent labeling of live leukocytes

Oligosaccharides play crucial roles in many biorecognition processes by the so-called "cluster glycosidic effect". We here report a facile synthesis of lactose-CdSeS/ZnS quantum dot conjugate (Lac-QDs) by use of 1-thiol-beta-D-lactose via ligand exchange, which exhibits significantly high affinity and specificity to leukocytes in contrast to the monovalent lactose. Structural analyses indicate that there are about 132 lactosyl molecules assembled on single QDs and the hydrodynamic diameter is small, close to 8.2 nm. Further, Lac-QDs display good fluorescence and physicochemical stability in physiological conditions, as well as extremely low cytotoxicity. These properties facilitate the use of Lac-QDs in fluorescent labeling of live leukocytes.