There is currently a great need to develop better imaging probes for studying biological process. In this proposed internship, Drs. Pacheco and Hashir will be evaluated an aluminum coated alloyed quantum dot system. These quantum dots are brighter than organic fluorophores and with the aluminum surface coating, these quantum dots are less pervious to environmental factors. This internship is beneficial to Market Link Scientific because they have a w hole animal optical system and are evaluating possible applications of this instrument. The quantum dots are useful contrast agents for them and hence, the interns will assess the utility of these quantum dots probes in imaging applications.