Delivery and visualization of proteins conjugated to quantum dots in cardiac myocytes

The design of a novel transduction complex has permitted the introduction of protein–quantum dot conjugates into the cytoplasm of living cells. Appropriate subcellular localization of quantum dot-conjugated cardiac troponin C to the myofibrils and a nuclear peptide to the nucleus was attained in living cardiac myocytes using this approach. This new methodology opens the possibility for live tracking of exogenous proteins and study of protein dynamics.