Patent ID: 7192780

Claim:
A method of detecting at least one target biological molecule in a target sample comprising: providing at least one water-stable semiconductor nanocrystal complex, the at least one complex comprising: a semiconductor nanocrystal; a moiety having an affinity for a surface of the semiconductor nanocrystal; a hydrophilic group; and a tertiary molecule coupled to the hydrophilic group and capable of binding to the at least one target biological molecule; exposing the at least one complex to a target sample containing the at least one target biological molecule; exposing the target sample to a light source that causes the at least one complex to emit light having a fluorescent lifetime; terminating exposure of the target sample to the light source; and measuring the fluorescent lifetime of the emitted light of the complex to determine whether hydridization of the target biological molecule to the at least one complex has occurred.