Brighter way to track molecules

A new way of tracking molecules through biological systems was unveiled this week. At present, researchers use organic dyes as biological labels to detect the presence and movement of molecules through biological systems. Now researchers have shown that semiconductor nanocrystals can be used as biological labels. These fluoresce 20 times more brightly than the organic dyes, making them easier to spot. They are also less toxic and are easier to use in complex experiments that previously needed more than one dye label.

From Science 281