Upconversion nanoparticles in biological labeling, imaging, and therapy

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

1348 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Feng Wang
  • Debapriya Banerjee
  • Yongsheng Liu
  • Xueyuan Chen
  • Xiaogang Liu

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1839-1854
Journal / PublicationAnalyst
Volume135
Issue number8
Online published18 May 2010
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2010
Externally publishedYes

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 et al.
In: Analyst, Vol. 135, No. 8, 01.08.2010, p. 1839-1854.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review