title: The future of quantum dots in drug discovery.
abstract: The rapid development of drug discovery today is inseparable from the interaction of advanced particle technologies and new drug synthesis protocols. Quantum dots (QDs) are regarded as a unique class of fluorescent labels, with unique optical properties such as high brightness and long-term colloidal and optical stability; these are suitable for optical imaging, drug delivery and optical tracking, fluorescence immunoassay and other medicinal applications. More importantly, QD possesses a rich surface chemistry property that is useful for incorporating various drug molecules, targeting ligands, and additional contrast agents (e.g., MRI, PET, etc.) onto the nanoparticle surface for achieving targeted and traceable drug delivery therapy at both cellular and systemic levels. In recent times, the advancement of QD technology has promoted the use of functionalized nanocrystals for in vivo applications. Such research is paving the way for drug discovery using various bioconjugated QD formulations. In this editorial, the authors highlight the current research progress and future applications of QDs in drug discovery.
authors.affiliation: Shenzhen University, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine of Tumor and the Key Lab of Biomedical Engineering , Shenzhen 518060 , China.
authors.forename: Guimiao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Ken-Tye
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Yong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D045663:Quantum Dots
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: drug delivery; drug discovery; drug screening; quantum dot