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Title: The exposure of bacteria to CdTe-core quantum dots: the importance of surface chemistry on cytotoxicity
Date: 6/2009
  Link to Journal Abstract
Abstract: A series of water-soluble CdTe-core quantum dots (QDs) with diameters below 5.0 nm and functionalized at their surface with polar ligands such as thioglycolic acid (TGA) or the tripeptide glutathione (GSH) were synthesized and characterized by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, their photoluminescence measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Because cell elongations and growth inhibitions were observed during labeling experiments, the cytotoxicity of CdTe-core QDs was investigated. Using growth inhibition tests combining different bacterial strains with different CdTe-core QDs, it was possible to demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of QDs towards bacteria depends on exposure concentrations, surface chemistry and coating, and that it varied with the strain considered. Growth inhibition tests carried out with heavy-metal-resistant bacteria, as well as ICP-AES analyses of cadmium species released by CdTe@TGA QDs, demonstrated that the leakage of Cd2+ is not the main source of QD toxicity. Our study suggests that QD cytotoxicity is rather due to the formation of TeO2 and probably the existence of CdO formed by surface oxidation. In this respect, QDs possessing a CdO shell appeared very toxic.
Non-technical Summary: In this study a series of water-soluble CdTe-core quantum dots, functionalized at thier surface with polar ligands are synthesized and characterized. The study also investigates the cytotoxicity of these quantum dots towards bacteria.
Content Emphasis Peer Reviewed Journal Article
Exposure Or Hazard Target Mammalian
Exposure Pathway Other/Unspecified
Method Of Study Other
Paper Type Hazard
Particle Type Metal
Production Method Engineered
Risk Exposure Group General Population
Target Audience Technical Research
Citation: Nanotechnology 20(22): 2009, 225101 (10pp)
Publication: Nanotechnology
Author: Schneider R, Wolpert C, Guilloteau H, Balan L, Lambert J, Merlin C
Volume: 20
Number: 22
Pages: 225101 (10pp)
     


Last updated on May 29, 2009
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This work is supported in part by the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Initiative of the National Science Foundation
under NSF Award Number EEC-0118007.

 		 
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