[Progress of research on application of quantum dots in tissue engineering]

Quantum dots (QDs) are novel photo-stable semiconductor nanocrystals with wide excitation spectra and narrow, symmetrical emission spectra. QDs can be used as molecular probes by conjugating to a wide range of biological targets, including proteins, peptides and nucleic acids. It has been widely used in bio-labeling, fast detection and biological imaging. In this review, we focus on the applications of QDs in tissue engineering and its potential bio-safety issues.