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Behold our lovely resident biologist Eve as she poses most elegantly. Behind her on the microscope stage you will find six varieties of quantum dot, fluorescing under bombardment by long UV light. Also featured to the right side (stage left) is our patch clamp rig, which we use to brutally poke at the membranes of mammalian cells, hoping to snatch their precious ion channels and disturb them with changes in voltage. This requires obnoxious precision, and those who possess the necessary skills are coveted in the community. Note Eve's flashy new lab goggles. Safety first my fellow scientists! Take note of the gorgeous array of colors produced by the quantum dots. The supply of green dots is diminished because I take a swig from the vial every morning for inspiration. For those of you who aren't familiar with quantum dots (I mean really, who isn't?), they are semiconductor nanoparticles with an emission wavelength that is proportional to their size. Translation: their stunning bright color depends on their size! These particular dots are of the CdSe/ZnS variety (see your periodic table for more details), a popular core/shell type dot that can really illuminate your science. Quantum dots are used for many practical applications, as their optical characteristics are quite impressive. Be on the lookout for applications of quantum dots in solid state quantum computation, nanocrystal solar cells, and QD-LED displays! My work is much more sinister. It involves sticking quantum dots to the surface of cells, and enticing them to vary their fluorescence as a function of the membrane potential. Translation: real-time imaging of neuronal activity! I hope this experience has been enlightening, and in the future you may consider quantum dots for all your robust fluorescence needs.