Abstract
Quantum dots (QDs), also named semiconductor nanocrystals, have initiated a new realm of bioscience by combining nanomaterials with biology, which will profoundly influence future biological and biomedical research. In this review, we describe the extraordinary optical properties of QDs and developments in methods for their synthesis. We focus on fluorescent imaging with QDs both in vitro and in vivo, and the cytotoxicity of QDs and potential barriers to their use in practical biomedical applications. Finally, we provide insights into improvements aimed at decreasing the cytotoxicity of QDs and the future outlook of QD applications in biomedical fields.
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Acknowledgements
This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 20475020, No. 20075009, No. 20875036), the Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Jilin Province, China (No. 20080544), and the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry (No. 3C109M791412).
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Wang, C., Gao, X. & Su, X. In vitro and in vivo imaging with quantum dots. Anal Bioanal Chem 397, 1397–1415 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-3481-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-3481-6