Upconversion nanoparticles in biological labeling, imaging, and therapy
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62) › 21_Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1839-1854 |
Journal / Publication | Analyst |
Volume | 135 |
Issue number | 8 |
Online published | 18 May 2010 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Link(s)
Abstract
Upconversion refers to non-linear optical processes that convert two or more low-energy pump photons to a higher-energy output photon. After being recognized in the mid-1960s, upconversion has attracted significant research interest for its applications in optical devices such as infrared quantum counter detectors and compact solid-state lasers. Over the past decade, upconversion has become more prominent in biological sciences as the preparation of high-quality lanthanide-doped nanoparticles has become increasingly routine. Owing to their small physical dimensions and biocompatibility, upconversion nanoparticles can be easily coupled to proteins or other biological macromolecular systems and used in a variety of assay formats ranging from bio-detection to cancer therapy. In addition, intense visible emission from these nanoparticles under near-infrared excitation, which is less harmful to biological samples and has greater sample penetration depths than conventional ultraviolet excitation, enhances their prospects as luminescent stains in bio-imaging. In this article, we review recent developments in optical biolabeling and bio-imaging involving upconversion nanoparticles, simultaneously bringing to the forefront the desirable characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of these luminescent nanomaterials.
Citation Format(s)
Upconversion nanoparticles in biological labeling, imaging, and therapy. / Wang, Feng; Banerjee, Debapriya; Liu, Yongsheng; Chen, Xueyuan; Liu, Xiaogang.
In: Analyst, Vol. 135, No. 8, 01.08.2010, p. 1839-1854.Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62) › 21_Publication in refereed journal › peer-review