Design Rules for Membrane-Embedded Voltage-Sensing Nanoparticles

作者:Park Kyoungwon; Weiss Shimon*
来源:Biophysical Journal, 2017, 112(4): 703-713.
DOI:10.1016/j.bpj.2016.12.047

摘要

Voltage-sensing dyes and voltage-sensing fluorescence proteins have been continually improved and as a result have provided a wealth of insights into neuronal circuits. Further improvements in voltage-sensing dyes and voltage-sensing fluorescence proteins are needed, however, for routine detection of single action potentials across a large number of individual neurons in a large field-of-view of a live mammalian brain. On the other hand, recent experiments and calculations suggest that semiconducting nanoparticles could act as efficient voltage sensors, suitable for the above-mentioned task. This study presents quantum mechanical calculations, including Auger recombination rates, of the quantum-confined Stark effect in membrane embedded semiconducting nanoparticles, examines their possible utility as membrane voltage sensors, and provide design rules for their structure and composition.

  • 出版日期2017-2-28