Patent ID: 9506930
Filing Date: 2016-11-29
CPC Classification: B82Y,G01N

Claim Text:
1. A method for assaying changes in transmembrane potential, the method comprising: providing at least one target, wherein the target is a cell, cellular fraction, or artificial membrane structure; contacting the target with at least one semiconductor nanocrystal to form a treated target, wherein each nanocrystal further comprises a hydrophobic surface coating; stimulating the treated target, such that the transmembrane potential of the target changes, wherein the at least one semiconductor nanocrystal emits light in direct response to a voltage fluctuation resulting from the change in transmembrane potential of the target, wherein the light is directly emitted from the at least one semiconductor nanocrystal without transfer of energy to a second molecule that then emits an optical signal; assaying emission by detecting the directly emitted light from the at least one semiconductor nanocrystal; and correlating the emission with the change in transmembrane potential.