title: Quantum dots in bio-imaging: Revolution by the small.
abstract: Visual analysis of biomolecules is an integral avenue of basic and applied biological research. It has been widely carried out by tagging of nucleotides and proteins with traditional fluorophores that are limited in their application by features such as photobleaching, spectral overlaps, and operational difficulties. Quantum dots (QDs) are emerging as a superior alternative and are poised to change the world of bio-imaging and further its applications in basic and applied biology. The interdisciplinary field of nanobiotechnology is experiencing a revolution and QDs as an enabling technology have become a harbinger of this hybrid field. Within a decade, research on QDs has evolved from being a pure science subject to the one with high-end commercial applications.
authors.affiliation: Gene Function Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8562, Japan.
authors.forename: Harinder
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arya
authors.forename: Zeenia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kaul
authors.forename: Renu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wadhwa
authors.forename: Kazunari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taira
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirano
authors.forename: Sunil C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kaul
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D045663:Quantum Dots; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity