Evident
Technologies (Troy, NY) has introduced the first
commercially available non-heavy-metal quantum
dot product for life science research, its Molecular
Plate T2-MP EviTags™.
“The T2-MP EviTags offer a potential range
of benefits over traditional quantum dots, especially
the possibility of lower toxicity, and, when further
developed, a wider range of colors into the near
infrared,” said Clinton Ballinger, Ph.D.,
CEO of Evident Technologies. “They also
can 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.”
Evident’s T2-MP EviTags feature three significant
developments: a new ternary (three-component)
core material system, new molecular plating shells,
and a natural coating on the outer layer.
At the core of the proprietary technology are
Evident’s Indium Gallium Phosphide (InGaP)
quantum dots, which are then 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 then further envelops
the plated InGaP quantum dots with a natural coating.
This coating allows for high stability in water,
can be readily functionalized for life science
applications, is long lasting in the harsh environments
encountered in biological assays, and is potentially
less toxic to cells than traditional heavy metal
quantum dots.
The new dots, are available in the deep red wavelengths
used in life science research, and offer the possibility
to create new classes of assays for use where
current testing materials could produce cytotoxicity
or cell death. Potential applications include
in vivo imaging – including live cell and
even whole animal imaging, blood cancer assays,
and numerous other applications.
At the core of the T2-MP EviTags
proprietary technology are Evident’s Indium
Gallium Phosphide (InGaP) quantum dots, which
are then coated first with a unique metallic molecular
plating (ZnS) and then with a second, natural
lipid coating.
