Direct Attachment of Oligonucleotides to Quantum Dot Interfaces
(4975–4981) Chemistry of  Materials 23 #22 (2011)
Han, Zylstra and Maye ofSyracuse University, New York, used a histidine-mediated phase transfer protocol that results in qdots with high colloidal stability in aqueous buffers.  The weakly bound histidine encapsulation facilitates monolayer exchanged with both thiolated ssDNA and polyhistidine-tagged proteins. The successful biomodification at the qdot interface was probed by FRET analysis. The modest FRET efficiencies measured suggest the DNA to be in an extended conformation that is the result of high surface coverage that the direct attachment provides.  (RDC 11/16/2011)

Fabrication of carboxyl functionalized CdSe quantum dots via ligands self-assembly and CdSe/epoxy fluorescence nanocomposites
(1938-1943) Polymer 52 #9 (2011)
Zou et al of the Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China, introduced carboxyl groups onto the surface of CdSe quantum dots (QD) via oleic acid ligands self-assembly, and then CdSe quantum dots/epoxy fluorescence nanocomposites were successfully fabricated.  As the result of surface modification, the carboxyl groups functionalized QD could be stably and homogenously dispersed in chloroform and acid anhydride cured epoxy matrix.  (RDC  6/1/2011)