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Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Correlative Light- and Electron Microscopy Using Quantum Dot Nanoparticles
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Correlative Light- and Electron Microscopy Using Quantum Dot Nanoparticles

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In Vivo Deep-Brain Structural and Hemodynamic Multiphoton Microscopy Enabled by Quantum Dots

Hongji Liu1, Xiangquan Deng1, Shen Tong1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering , Shenzhen University , Shenzhen , 518060 , China.

Nano Letters
|July 4, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Quantum dots enable deeper brain imaging using multiphoton microscopy (MPM). This breakthrough allows unprecedented visualization of brain structure and blood flow in vivo, overcoming previous depth limitations.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Deep-brain vasculature and hemodynamics are crucial for understanding brain function and disease.
  • Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) offers deep-brain imaging but is limited by signal depletion.
  • Enhanced imaging depth is needed for comprehensive in vivo brain studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate quantum dots (QDs) as an enabling material for deeper MPM in vivo.
  • To characterize the three-photon excitation and emission properties of QDs for brain imaging.
  • To demonstrate enhanced structural and hemodynamic MPM using QDs in the mouse brain.

Main Methods:

  • Characterization of three-photon excitation and emission parameters for QDs.
  • In vivo measurements of QD optical properties in mouse brain vasculature.
  • Demonstration of structural and hemodynamic three-photon microscopy using QD labeling.

Main Results:

  • QDs exhibit three-photon cross sections 4-5 orders of magnitude larger than conventional dyes.
  • In vivo QD emission shows a slight red shift and broadening compared to ex vivo.
  • Record imaging depths were achieved for MPM in mouse brain using QDs.

Conclusions:

  • Quantum dots significantly enhance the imaging depth of multiphoton microscopy in vivo.
  • QDs provide superior optical properties for deep-brain structural and hemodynamic imaging.
  • This advancement opens new possibilities for studying brain physiology and pathology at unprecedented depths.
Keywords:
1700 nm windowMultiphoton microscopybrain imagingquantum dots

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