Quantum dots (QDs) exhibit excelent properties, such as broad absorption, narrow emission , high photoluminescence quantum yields, tunable emission wavelength, and anti-photobleaching. As a result, QDs have important applications in biological imaging, tracking, and sensing. When QDs enter living systems, they first encounter proteins. The interactions between proteins and QDs significantly influence the structures and functions of the proteins, as wel as the performance of the QDs in applications. Studies on the interactions between QDs and proteins can provide a theoretical basis for the design, efficient application, and safety evaluation of QDs. Herein we have summarized methods for characterizing thethermodynamics of QD-protein interactions, on the basis of previous work by both our group and others. We also highlight the thermodynamic mechanisms of the QD-protein interactions.%量子点(QDs)具有宽激发窄发射、量子产率高、发射波长可调和抗光漂白等优异的光学性质,因而在生物医学成像与示踪、生物传感等方面有着广泛的应用前景.量子点进入生命体系后,首先会遇到蛋白质,量子点与蛋白质之间发生相互作用后,蛋白质的结构和功能会因此发生变化,量子点的性能及应用也会发生改变.研究量子点与蛋白质的相互作用规律,可以为量子点的精细设计、高效应用以及生物安全性评价提供理论依据.本文在总结国内外相关文献和本课题组工作的基础上,介绍了量子点与蛋白质相互作用的热力学方法;重点从热力学角度揭示量子点与蛋白质相互作用的机制.
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