Identification of quantum dot bioconjugates and cellular protein co-localization by hybrid gel blotting

New approaches are needed to address the interaction of nanoparticles and cellular proteins at the molecular level. We present a modification of PAGE co-immunoprecipitation, QD-based PA-AGE electrophoresis blotting, and apply this to identify quantum dot (QD) bioconjugate-cellular protein association. This method provides the capability to isolate and evaluate the action of QD bioconjugate-protein complexes in intact cells and to correlate these identified interactions with their location in cells.