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Enabling Biomedical Research with Designer Quantum Dots

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Nanotechnology in Regenerative Medicine

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 811))

Abstract

Quantum Dots (QDs) are a new class of semiconductor nanoparticulate luminophores, which are actively researched for novel applications in biology and nanomedicine. In this review, the recent progress in the design and applications of QD labels for in vitro and in vivo imaging of cells is presented. Surface chemical engineering of hydrophobic QDs is required to render them water soluble and biocompatible. Further surface modification and attachment of bioactive molecules to the surface of QDs, such as peptides, aptamers, or antibodies are intensively explored for targeted imaging of living cells, and disease states in animals. Specially designed surface coatings can drastically decrease nonspecific interactions between QDs and cells, minimize degradation of QDs under in vivo physiological conditions, reduce the cytotoxicity of QDs, and prolong circulation lifetimes in animals. New generations of QD probes are also promising for imaging cellular processes at the single-molecule level. Ultimately, QDs as components of complex therapeutic nanosystems are poised to contribute significantly to the field of personalized medicine.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering of A*STAR for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, Singapore

    Nikodem Tomczak, Dominik Jańczewski & Ming-Yong Han

  2. Faculty of Science and Technology, Materials Science and Technology of Polymers, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Denis Dorokhin & G. Julius Vancso

  3. MESA + Institute for Nanotechnology, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Denis Dorokhin & G. Julius Vancso

  4. Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Ming-Yong Han & G. Julius Vancso

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  1. Nikodem Tomczak
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  2. Dominik Jańczewski
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  3. Denis Dorokhin
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  4. Ming-Yong Han
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  5. G. Julius Vancso
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Correspondence to Nikodem Tomczak .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. (IBEC), Inst. for Bioengineering of Catalonia, C/Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona, 08028, Spain

    Melba Navarro

  2. (IBEC), Inst. for Bioengineering of Catalonia, C/Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona, 08028, Spain

    Josep A. Planell

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Tomczak, N., Jańczewski, D., Dorokhin, D., Han, MY., Vancso, G.J. (2012). Enabling Biomedical Research with Designer Quantum Dots. In: Navarro, M., Planell, J. (eds) Nanotechnology in Regenerative Medicine. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 811. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-388-2_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-388-2_16

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