Upconversion nanoparticles in biological labeling, imaging, and therapy
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 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.
Research Area(s)
Citation Format(s)
Upconversion nanoparticles in biological labeling, imaging, and therapy. / Wang, Feng; Banerjee, Debapriya; Liu, Yongsheng et al.
In: Analyst, Vol. 135, No. 8, 01.08.2010, p. 1839-1854.
In: Analyst, Vol. 135, No. 8, 01.08.2010, p. 1839-1854.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review