| The programmed positioning of nano-objects (metal or semiconductor nanoparticles, NPs) is a major challenge in nanotechnology. Unique optical and plasmonic effects emerge from these structures. The application of DNA machines as functional scaffolds for the programmed and reversible assembly of NPs will be presented. A further topic that will be discussed involves the use of functional biomolecule- or molecule-functionalized semiconductor quantum dots for sensing applications. Different mechanisms for the sensing processes will be implemented including: fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), electron transfer (ET), chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET) and photoelectrochemical sensing with no external irradiation. Specifically, amplification routes of QDs-base sensors, multiplexed analysis with QDs, and the use of hybrid QDs and metallic nanoclusters (Ag0) for sensing, and intracellular sensing with QDs will be discussed. |
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