Small upconverting fluorescent nanoparticles for biomedical applications.
Fluorescent labels have been widely used for biological applications, primarily in imaging and assays. Traditional fluorophores such as fluorescent dyes are mainly based on downconversion fluorescence, which have several drawbacks such as photobleaching, high background noise from autofluorescence, and considerable photodamage to biological materials. Upconverting fluorescent nanoparticles emit detectable photons of higher energy in the near-infrared (NIR) or visible range upon irradiation with an NIR light in a process termed 'upconversion.' They overcome some of the disadvantages faced by conventional downconversion labels, thus making them an ideal fluorescent label for biological applications. This review looks at the development of these particles, critically examines the reported applications, and discusses their future in biomedicine.
Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, 7 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117574.
Dev K
DK
Chatterjee
Muthu Kumara
MK
Gnanasammandhan
Yong
Y
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D005453:Fluorescence; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D006801:Humans; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011205:Povidone / Q000737:chemistry; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
D011205:Povidone