Open Access Conference Proceedings

Virus-induced haemorrhagic fevers often show a rapid, dramatic course. Infectivity and mortality are very high. Such viruses are known to attack primates as well as other animal species. Fast, sensitive, selective diagnostics can be very beneficial for early anti-epidemic measures right in the outbreak. Quantum dots (QDs) have excellent features that make them useful as detection labels. Their use increases the sensitivity of the analytical assay. The use of biologically active components in QDs synthesis brings new properties. Quantum dots are nanocrystals that due to their high stability, ease of preparation and biocompatibility are suitable for labelinglabelling biomolecules. CdTe QDs modified with mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and plant extracts were prepared. Green synthesized CdTe QDs showed emission depending on the amount of extract applied. Thus, QDs were prepared in full-color scale from blue to red. The modified biomolecules of QDs are applicable for the labelinglabelling of nucleic acids. Their long-term stability, including their application onto paper, was tested. CdTe QDs exhibit very good electrochemical detection with the limit of detection (LOD) in nanomolar concentration.

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