The Use of Nanoparticles for Cell Identification and Tracking

About the Presenter

Paul Rees, PhD
Chair of Nanotechnology
Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre
Swansea University

Paul Rees received his degree and PhD in physics from Cardiff University. Research for his PhD included the calculation of the optical properties of semiconductor lasers and the measurement of spontaneous emission from laser diodes under operating conditions. From 1994 to 1996, he was a research fellow at the Department of Physics at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, where his research included the study of self-pulsation in laser diodes and the theory of many-body effects in wide band-gap semiconductors. In 1996 he joined the School of Informatics at University of Wales, Bangor, U.K., where he was appointed Senior Lecturer in 2000. Research interests at Bangor included the effect of optical feedback in laser diodes, the use of chaos for data encryption, quantum computing, and the theory of quantum-dot lasers.

In 2005 he was appointed to chair of nanotechnology in the newly-formed Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre at Swansea University. Current research interests include the theory of the electrical and optical properties of self assembled and colloidal semiconductor quantum dots. Recent research has involved the modelling of biological cell cycles and the use of these theories in deconvolving useful information from high throughput measurement techniques such as flow cytometry and time lapse microscopy. A major focus of current research is the investigation of the uptake of nano- and micro-particles in biological cells. Using the high throughput measurement techniques to investigate the heterogeneity of this uptake for large cell populations allows the calculation of the statistical distributions for the number particles delivered to a cell. Recent research has involved the application of engineering systems approaches to both biology and medicine in order to deconvolve meaningful information from data.

Webinar Summary

Colloidal quantum dots are widely used as fluorescent markers for biological cells. These particles are optically stable and bio-compatible with the cellular environment. The wavelength of the quantum dot fluorescence can be tuned across the optical spectrum by varying the size, structure and chemical composition of the colloidal particles. Initially, colloidal dots were used as direct replacements of existing fluorescence probes but more recently applications have emerged that exploit the unique properties of these nanoparticles.

In this presentation, Paul will discuss the use of colloidal nanoparticles to measure the proliferation of cells using flow cytometry. Then the use of nanoparticles to track the movement of cells using a fluorescence microscope will be presented and finally he will outline the use of multi-colored nanoparticles to uniquely bar code cells for identification and tracking.

This continuing medical laboratory education activity is recognized by the American Society for Clinical Pathology for 1 CMLE credit. ASCP CMLE credits are acceptable for the ASCP Board of Registry Certification Maintenance Program.

CMLE Credit: 1.0