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Small Upconverting Fluorescent Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications
Author(s) -
Chatterjee Dev K.,
Gnanasammandhan Muthu Kumara,
Zhang Yong
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201000418
Subject(s) - photobleaching , fluorescence , autofluorescence , photon upconversion , nanotechnology , materials science , biological imaging , nanoparticle , optoelectronics , optics , luminescence , physics
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.