title: Real-time optical imaging using quantum dot and related nanocrystals.
abstract: Biomedical optical imaging is rapidly evolving because of its desirable features of rapid frame rates, high sensitivity, low cost, portability and lack of radiation. Quantum dots are attractive as imaging agents owing to their high brightness, and photo- and bio-stability. Here, the current status of in vitro and in vivo real-time optical imaging with quantum dots is reviewed. In addition, we consider related nanocrystals based on solid-state semiconductors, including upconverting nanoparticles and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer quantum dots. These particles can improve the signal-to-background ratio for real-time imaging largely by suppressing background signal. Although toxicity and biodistribution of quantum dots and their close relatives remain prime concerns for translation to human imaging, these agents have many desirable features that should be explored for medical purposes.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892-1088, USA.
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kosaka
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitsunaga
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Choyke
authors.forename: Hisataka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D045663:Quantum Dots