Abstract
Luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots (QDs), are generally composed of II-VI and III-V elements. Due to their quantum confinement of charge carriers in tiny spaces, QDs show some unique and fascinating optical properties, and are characterized as sharp and symmetrical emission spectra, high quantum yields, broad absorption spectra, good chemical and photo-stability and size dependent emission wavelength tunability. Recently, QDs have been successfully used as new fluorescent tags in many biological and biomedical fields, and will become a new promising tool in biomedical studies, clinical diagnostics, drug delivery and photodynamic therapy. In this review, firstly, the methodology of QDs preparation was introduced, which included organic synthesis, aqueous synthesis and microwave assisted aqueous synthesis. Secondly, some procedures for the QDs bio-conjugation with biomarkers were described. And then, some key applications of QDs were summarized, which mainly covered biomedical imaging, immunoassay, DNA hybridization, and photodynamic therapy. Finally, future prospects were discussed.
Keywords: QDs, Organic synthesis, aqueous synthesis, bioconjugation, cell imaging, immunoassay, DNA hybridization, photodynamic therapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Luminescent Quantum Dots: A Very Attractive and Promising Tool in Biomedicine
Volume: 13 Issue: 8
Author(s): Jifang Weng and Jicun Ren
Affiliation:
Keywords: QDs, Organic synthesis, aqueous synthesis, bioconjugation, cell imaging, immunoassay, DNA hybridization, photodynamic therapy
Abstract: Luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots (QDs), are generally composed of II-VI and III-V elements. Due to their quantum confinement of charge carriers in tiny spaces, QDs show some unique and fascinating optical properties, and are characterized as sharp and symmetrical emission spectra, high quantum yields, broad absorption spectra, good chemical and photo-stability and size dependent emission wavelength tunability. Recently, QDs have been successfully used as new fluorescent tags in many biological and biomedical fields, and will become a new promising tool in biomedical studies, clinical diagnostics, drug delivery and photodynamic therapy. In this review, firstly, the methodology of QDs preparation was introduced, which included organic synthesis, aqueous synthesis and microwave assisted aqueous synthesis. Secondly, some procedures for the QDs bio-conjugation with biomarkers were described. And then, some key applications of QDs were summarized, which mainly covered biomedical imaging, immunoassay, DNA hybridization, and photodynamic therapy. Finally, future prospects were discussed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Weng Jifang and Ren Jicun, Luminescent Quantum Dots: A Very Attractive and Promising Tool in Biomedicine, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2006; 13 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986706776361076
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986706776361076 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
State of Art and Recent Developments of Anti-Cancer Strategies Based on TRAIL
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Apoptotic and Antiproliferative Potential of GAPDH from <i>Mallotus philippensis</i> Seed on Human Lung Carcinoma: <i>In Vitro</i> and <i>In Vivo</i> Approach
Protein & Peptide Letters Cationic Liposome Mediated Delivery of FUS1 and hIL-12 Coexpression Plasmid Demonstrates Enhanced Activity against Human Lung Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Application and Future Prospect of Extracellular Matrix Targeted Nanomaterials in Tumor Theranostics
Current Drug Targets Self-immolative Linkers in Prodrugs and Antibody Drug Conjugates in Cancer Treatment
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery TGR5 as a Therapeutic Target for Treating Obesity
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Can Medical Therapy Fix Sexual Dysfunction after Major Pelvic and Prostate Surgery and does it Work for Kidney Stones? Chemotherapy before Cystectomy, New Schemes for which Patients?
Current Drug Targets Molecular and Genetic Bases of Pancreatic Cancer
Current Drug Targets Focus on the Role of Glutamate in the Pathology of the Peripheral Nervous System
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Immune Response and Immunotherapy: Live Attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Lm)-LLO Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Phytochemical Characterization of Prickly Pear (Opuntia spp.) and of its Nutritional and Functional Properties: A Review
Current Nutrition & Food Science Novel Hydroxamate and Anilide Derivatives as Potent Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: Synthesis and Antiproliferative Evaluation
Current Medicinal Chemistry Multicomponent Reactions in Antimitotic Drug Discovery
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Role of Proteomics in Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis Research
Current Drug Targets Preface
Current Pharmaceutical Design Competition Between Tumor and Mononuclear Phagocyte System Causing the Low Tumor Distribution of Nanoparticles and Strategies to Improve Tumor Accumulation
Current Drug Delivery Molecular Recognition at Purine and Pyrimidine Nucleotide (P2) Receptors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry A Comparison of Physicochemical Property Profiles of Marketed Oral Drugs and Orally Bioavailable Anti-Cancer Protein Kinase Inhibitors in Clinical Development
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Pyrazolopyrimidine Derivatives as Antineoplastic Agents: with a Special Focus on Thyroid Cancer
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Technetium-99m – New Production and Processing Strategies to Provide Adequate Levels for SPECT Imaging
Current Radiopharmaceuticals