TY - JOUR A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Grabolle, Markus A1 - Cavaliere-Jaricot, S. A1 - Nitschke, R. A1 - Nann, T. T1 - Quantum dots versus organic dyes as fluorescent labels JF - Nature methods N2 - Suitable labels are at the core of luminescence and fluorescence imaging and sensing. One of the most exciting, yet also controversial, advances in label technology is the emerging development of quantum dots (QDs)—inorganic nanocrystals with unique optical and chemical properties but complicated surface chemistry—as in vitro and in vivo fluorophores. Here we compare and evaluate the differences in physicochemical properties of common fluorescent labels, focusing on traditional organic dyes and QDs. Our aim is to provide a better understanding of the advantages and limitations of both classes of chromophores, to facilitate label choice and to address future challenges in the rational design and manipulation of QD labels. KW - Fluorescence KW - Label KW - Quantum dot KW - Dye KW - Bioanalysis KW - Quantum yield KW - Multiplexing KW - Lifetime KW - Assay KW - Life sciences KW - FRET KW - Fluorescent reporter PY - 2008 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/NMETH.1248 SN - 1548-7091 SN - 1548-7105 VL - 5 IS - 9 SP - 763 EP - 775 PB - Nature Publishing Group CY - New York, NY, USA AN - OPUS4-18992 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -