Fluorescent nanocrystal-embedded microspheres for fluorescence analysis

A kit comprising one or more containers, wherein the one or more containers is selected from the group consisting of a container having contents comprising fluorescence microspheres capable of fluorescing a specific fluorescence pattern, and a plurality of containers with each container having contents comprising fluorescence microspheres capable of fluorescing a specific fluorescence pattern different than the specific fluorescence pattern of other contents of the plurality of containers;

• wherein a fluorescent microsphere is comprised of a plurality of fluorescent nanocrystals physically entrapped in a polymeric microsphere, and wherein the fluorescent nanocrystals are functionalized with a plurality of molecules selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, diaminocarboxylic acid, monoaminocarboxylic acid, and a combination thereof.

A method of producing a fluorescent microsphere comprised of a plurality of fluorescent nanocrystals embedded in a polymeric microsphere, wherein the method comprises:

• exposing the polymeric microsphere under suitable conditions to cause swelling, and an increase in size of pores, of the polymeric microspheres, and for allowing the fluorescent nanocrystals to enter into the pores of the swelled polymeric microspheres;
• and
• exposing the swelled polymeric microspheres to suitable conditions to cause the polymeric micropsheres to become unswollen in decreasing size of the pores, thereby physically entrapping fluorescent nanocrystals which may be present in the pores.