QDs as a sensor of intra-endosomal microenvironment changes

Fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals Quantum Dots (QDs), due to long fluorescence lifetime attract attention as promising markers to follow endocytosis in live cells. We have studied the influence of such components of intra-endosomal medium, as hydrogen and peroxide as well as
$\mathrm{K}^{+},\text{Na}^{+}$
and
$\text{Ca}^{2+}$
ions, on QDs lifetime. We conclude that QDs may manifest complicated changes in endosomal microenvironment.