“Jelly dots”: synthesis and cytotoxicity studies of CdTe quantum dot–gelatin nanocomposites

Shedding light on cells: Quantum dot (QD)–gelatin nanocomposites, prepared by the synthesis of CdTe nanoparticles in the presence of gelatin, exhibit increased QD luminescence efficiencies. The nanocomposites penetrate the cell membrane and illuminate the cytoskeleton of macrophage cells (see image). Compared to the originals, the gelatin-modified QDs display significantly lower rates of cytotoxicity and improved biocompatibility