title: Quantum dots, lighting up the research and development of nanomedicine.
abstract: Quantum dots (QDs) have proven themselves as powerful inorganic fluorescent probes, especially for long term, multiplexed imaging and detection. The newly developed QDs labeling techniques have facilitated the study of drug delivery on the level of living cells and small animals. Moreover, based on QDs and fluorescence imaging system, multifunctional nanocomplex integrated targeting, imaging and therapeutic functionalities have become effective materials for synchronous cancer diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances of QDs in the research of drug delivery system from the following aspects: surface modification strategies of QDs for drug delivery, QDs as drug nanocarriers, QD-labeled drug nanocarriers, QD-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique for drug release study as well as the development of multifunctional nanomedicines. Possible perspective in this field will also be discussed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This review discusses the role and significance of quantum dots (QDs) from the following aspects: surface modification strategies of QDs for drug delivery, QDs as drug nanocarriers, QD-labeled drug nanocarriers, QD-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique for drug release study as well as the development of multifunctional nanomedicines.
authors.affiliation: Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, China.
authors.forename: Yunqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lingxin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods*; D045663:Quantum Dots
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers