Jelly dots: Synthesis and cytotoxicity studies of CdTe quantum dot-gelatin nanocomposites

The biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of quantum CdTe quantum dot-gelatin nanocomposites, and their toxicological impact in live THP-1 macrophage cells, were investigated. Nanocrystal synthesis of the CdTe QDs was conducted using nucleation followed by a process by introducing gelatin, which is a mixture of many single-or multistranded polypeptides, glycine, proline, and 4-hydroxyproline. The gelatin can effectively interact and hold the Cd-TGA (CDL) precursor complex moieties through electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. The cellular toxicity response was measured using a multiparameter cytotoxicity, where dye luminescence intensities can be correlated to toxic phenomena. The gelatin-QD composites pass through the cell membrane and illuminate the cytoskeleton of the THP-1 macrophage cells. QDs alos show lower rates of toxicity (analyzed through decreased cell permeability and an aversion to increased lysosomal pH), which are suitable for bioimaging agents.