Quantum dots are inorganic semiconductor nanoparticles that possess unique optical and electronic properties, which make them suitable for advanced molecular and cellular imaging, drug delivery, and highly sensitive bioassays.  Labeling of QDs for biological imaging is commonly done by bioconjugation.  Conjugation of biomolecules, such as antibodies and peptides, can give QDs a targeting ability to a specific cancer biomarker. The efficiency of targeting ability (functionality) of antibody-QD conjugates varies significantly for different conjugation methods and for different research groups.  The strategy to maximize the functionality of antibody-QD conjugates and the experimental evaluation of the functionality on QD labeling is critical for the proper interpretation and quality of results obtained from cancer detection and imaging.  This project employs innovative bioconjugation methods and unique analysis process.