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Physiological behavior of quantum dots
Author(s) -
Xu Ligeng,
Chen Chunying
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
wiley interdisciplinary reviews: nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1939-0041
pISSN - 1939-5116
DOI - 10.1002/wnan.1187
Subject(s) - quantum dot , nanotechnology , fluorescence , computer science , biochemical engineering , materials science , engineering , physics , optics
Quantum dots (QDs) have shown great potentials in biomedical applications like bioimaging, sensors and diagnostics due to various advantages such as their robust fluorescence, remarkable photostability, large absorption cross section, and tunable fluorescence emission. The fate, behavior, metabolism, and toxicities of QDs are the primary aspects to be assessed before their bio‐applications. Numerous studies concerning those aspects have been reported in the past years. However, only several reviews discussed the toxicities of QDs and various contradictory conclusions appear between these studies. In this review, the fate, metabolism, and behaviors of various QDs and crucial parameters that may determine their fate and behavior in vivo are discussed in depth. This review may provide insights for a better understanding of the biological impacts of QDs. We also propose several suggestions for how to develop QDs application in humans in the future. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2012, 4:620–637. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1187 This article is categorized under: Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials