A Novel Molecular Monitoring of Hyaluronic Acid Degradation using Quantum Dots

  • Kim, Ji-Seok (Department of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)) ;
  • Hahn, Sei-Kwang (Department of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)) ;
  • Kim, Sung-Jee (Department of Chemistry, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH))
  • Published : 2006.10.13

Abstract

A real time bio-imaging of HA degradation was successfully carried out using HA-quantum dot conjugates. HA-ADH with ADH content of ca. 70 mol% was synthesized and conjugated with quantum dots containing carboxyl terminal ligands which were activated by the addition of HOBt and EDC in DMSO. When the concentration of HA-ADH solution was higher than 4 wt%, HA-ADH hydrogels incorporating quantum dots could be synthesized in 30 minutes. These novel HA-quantum dot conjugates and the precursor solution of HA hydrogels incorporating quantum dots were injected to the nude mouse and investigated to elucidate the biological roles of HA in the body for various future tissue engineering applications.

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