title: Self-assembled nanomaterials for photoacoustic imaging.
abstract: In recent years, extensive endeavors have been paid to construct functional self-assembled nanomaterials for various applications such as catalysis, separation, energy and biomedicines. To date, different strategies have been developed for preparing nanomaterials with diversified structures and functionalities via fine tuning of self-assembled building blocks. In terms of biomedical applications, bioimaging technologies are urgently calling for high-efficient probes/contrast agents for high-performance bioimaging. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is an emerging whole-body imaging modality offering high spatial resolution, deep penetration and high contrast in vivo. The self-assembled nanomaterials show high stability in vivo, specific tolerance to sterilization and prolonged half-life stability and desirable targeting properties, which is a kind of promising PA contrast agents for biomedical imaging. Herein, we focus on summarizing recent advances in smart self-assembled nanomaterials with NIR absorption as PA contrast agents for biomedical imaging. According to the preparation strategy of the contrast agents, the self-assembled nanomaterials are categorized into two groups, i.e., the ex situ and in situ self-assembled nanomaterials. The driving forces, assembly modes and regulation of PA properties of self-assembled nanomaterials and their applications for long-term imaging, enzyme activity detection and aggregation-induced retention (AIR) effect for diagnosis and therapy are emphasized. Finally, we conclude with an outlook towards future developments of self-assembled nanomaterials for PA imaging.
authors.affiliation: CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, 100190, China. wanghao@nanoctr.cn wanglei@nanoctr.cn.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, 100190, China. wanghao@nanoctr.cn wanglei@nanoctr.cn.
authors.forename: Pei-Pei
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, 100190, China. wanghao@nanoctr.cn wanglei@nanoctr.cn.
authors.forename: Xiao-Xiao
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, No. 11 Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing, 100190, China. wanghao@nanoctr.cn wanglei@nanoctr.cn.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011108:Polymers