https://video.igem.org/videos/watch/262febb2-e6e0-4361-addf-7b8dc97a69c6 Title: Engineering an Intracellular NanoLuc–Quantum Dot BRET System Description: Our 2026 iGEM project explores an intracellular bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) system combining NanoLuc luciferase with biologically synthesized CdSe quantum dots in Yarrowia lipolytica. We investigated quantum dot biosynthesis, peptide-mediated NanoLuc attachment, and metabolic engineering guided by computational modeling. Through multiple rounds of fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal microscopy, we obtained complementary evidence supporting intracellular quantum dot formation. Upon adding furimazine, we observed enhanced long-wavelength bioluminescence near 617 nm without external light excitation, consistent with the proposed BRET mechanism. Throughout the project, we encountered challenges that shaped our experimental decisions. We switched from CdS to CdSe quantum dots to improve spectral compatibility with NanoLuc and moved from the SP1 ring scaffold strategy to direct peptide-mediated binding after evaluating their performance. Beyond the laboratory, our Human Practices activities helped us gain valuable experience in communicating synthetic biology and making scientific concepts more accessible to students. These preliminary findings support the potential of yeast-based NanoLuc–quantum dot systems for future intracellular biohybrid imaging applications. Wiki | Official Page Thu, 29 Oct 2026 21:21:49 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://video.igem.org https://video.igem.org/client/assets/images/icons/icon-1500x1500.png https://video.igem.org/videos/watch/262febb2-e6e0-4361-addf-7b8dc97a69c6 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://video.igem.org/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.