Quantum Dots in Imaging, Drug Delivery and Sensor Applications

Overview

Journal Int J Nanomedicine

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Specialty Biotechnology

Date 2017 Aug 18

PMID 28814860

Citations 138

Authors

Cristian T Matea

Teodora Mocan

Flaviu Tabaran

Teodora Pop

Ofelia Mosteanu

Cosmin Puia

Cornel Iancu

Lucian Mocan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs), also known as nanoscale semiconductor crystals, are nanoparticles with unique optical and electronic properties such as bright and intensive fluorescence. Since most conventional organic label dyes do not offer the near-infrared (>650 nm) emission possibility, QDs, with their tunable optical properties, have gained a lot of interest. They possess characteristics such as good chemical and photo-stability, high quantum yield and size-tunable light emission. Different types of QDs can be excited with the same light wavelength, and their narrow emission bands can be detected simultaneously for multiple assays. There is an increasing interest in the development of nano-theranostics platforms for simultaneous sensing, imaging and therapy. QDs have great potential for such applications, with notable results already published in the fields of sensors, drug delivery and biomedical imaging. This review summarizes the latest developments available in literature regarding the use of QDs for medical applications.

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