title: Rare Earth doped nanoparticles in imaging and PDT.
abstract: Nanoparticles doped with rare earth ions for biomedical imaging and infrared photodynamic therapy (IRPDT) have been synthesized, characterized, and compared. Specifically, these nanoparticles utilize two primary modalities: near infrared excitation and emission for imaging, and near infrared upconversion for photodynamic therapy. These nanoparticles are optimized for both their infrared emission and upconversion energy transfer to a photoactive agent conjugated to the surface. Finally, these nanoparticles are tested for toxicity, imaged in cells using the near infrared emission pathway, and used for selective killing of cells through the upconversion driven IRPDT.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Tx, USA 78249.
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Yust
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Tx, USA 78249.
authors.forename: Dhiraj K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sardar
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Tx, USA 78249.
authors.forename: Lawrence C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Mimun
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Tx, USA 78249.
authors.forename: Ajith K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gangadharan
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Tx, USA 78249.
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Tsin
keywords: Rare earths; biomedical imaging; infrared photodynamic therapy; upconversion