In vivo whole animal fluorescence imaging of a microparticle-based oral vaccine containing (CuInSe(x)S(2-x))/ZnS core/shell quantum dots.

Zinc sulfide-coated copper indium sulfur selenide (CuInSexS2-x/ZnS core/shell) nanocrystals were synthesized with size-tunable red to near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence with high quantum yield (40%) in water. These nanocrystals were tested as an imaging agent to track a microparticle-based oral vaccine administered to mice. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticle-encapsulated CuInSexSe2-x/ZnS quantum dots were orally administered to mice and were found to provide a distinct visible fluorescent marker in the gastrointestinal tract of living mice.