Title

Fluorescent Quantum Dots For Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Fluorescent quantum dots (Qdots) are a new class of semiconductor nanomaterials typically in the size range between 2 nm and 10nm with some unique optical properties. Unlike traditional organic fluorescent dyes and fluorescent proteins, Qdots are highly bright and extremely photostable, making them ideal for real-time long-term biological imaging and sensing applications. The Qdot emission wavelength is dependent on its size. Thus by increasing Qdot size one can tune Qdot emission from ultra-violet (UV) to visible (VIS) to near infra-red (NIR). Due to broad absorption and narrow emission properties, Qdots are ideal candidates for highly sensitivemultiplexed bioimaging (imaging of multiple targets at the same time in a biological specimen) applications. During the past decade fluorescent quantum dots have been extensively studied to demonstrate their potential in various biomedical applications such as immunolabeling of cells and tissues, imaging of cancer in vitro and in vivo, and sensing of biomedically relevant analytes. The Qdot nanotechnology has tremendous potential to revolutionize the field of biomedical imaging and biosensing in the near future, despite toxicological issues associated with the presence of heavy metals in Qdots which may limit their applications in humans. This chapter will focus primarily on biomedical applications of various Qdots. A brief review of Qdot design, synthesis, surface modification and bioconjugation will be provided followed by a discussion of the future perspective of this technology. © 2010 by Pan Stanford Publishing Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication Date

9-1-2010

Publication Title

Handbook of Materials for Nanomedicine

Number of Pages

691-721

Document Type

Article; Book Chapter

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.4032/9789814267588

Socpus ID

84881752511 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84881752511

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