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FeSe quantum dots for in vivo multiphoton biomedical imaging
1Department of Cogno-Mechatronics Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46240, Republic of Korea.
Science Advances
|December 17, 2019
Summary
Iron selenide (FeSe) quantum dots (QDs) offer efficient multiphoton imaging with high quantum yield and biocompatibility. These probes enable deep-tissue in vivo imaging for potential applications in cancer diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Developing efficient photoluminescent probes is crucial for advanced biomedical imaging.
- Existing probes often lack high quantum yield, biocompatibility, or multiphoton absorption for deep tissue penetration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize iron selenide (FeSe) quantum dots (QDs) for multiphoton biomedical imaging.
- To evaluate the biocompatibility and in vivo imaging capabilities of FeSe QDs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of FeSe quantum dots (QDs).
- Characterization of QDs' photoluminescent properties, including two- and three-photon excitation.
- Conjugation of QDs with poly(ethylene glycol) and HER2 antibodies.
- In vitro and in vivo two-photon imaging of HER2-overexpressed MCF7 cells and a xenograft breast tumor model.
Main Results:
- FeSe QDs demonstrated two- and three-photon excitation at 800- and 1080-nm wavelengths.
- High quantum yield (ca. 40%) suitable for second-window imaging was achieved.
- Successful in vivo two-photon imaging up to 500 μm depth in a mouse tumor model was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Biocompatible FeSe QDs show promise as efficient probes for multiphoton biomedical imaging.
- These QDs can facilitate deep-tissue imaging, potentially improving cancer diagnostics and monitoring.
