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Lanthanide-Activated Nanoparticles: A Toolbox for Bioimaging, Therapeutics, and Neuromodulation
Zhigao Yi1,2, Zichao Luo1,2, Xian Qin1
1Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
Accounts of Chemical Research
|October 26, 2020
Summary
Lanthanide-activated nanoparticles offer advanced bioimaging and therapeutics due to tunable luminescence and multifunctionality. These nanomaterials enable precise deep-tissue imaging, oncotherapy, and diagnostics through various excitation modes.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology and Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optical Physics
Background:
- Lanthanide-activated nanoparticles have rapidly advanced for biological applications over the past decade.
- Their unique optical properties, including tunable upconversion and downshifting luminescence, photostability, and biocompatibility, make them ideal for bioimaging and therapeutics.
- These nanoparticles offer versatile surface modification for multifunctionality and satisfactory signal output.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and categorize lanthanide-activation strategies for biological applications.
- To discuss energy manipulation in luminescence for spectral and time domains and their biological applications.
- To assess design principles for multifunctional lanthanide-activated nanosystems in bioimaging, oncotherapy, and neuromodulation.
Main Methods:
- Categorization of lanthanide-activation strategies into near-infrared excitation, X-ray irradiation, and magnetic field stimulation.
- Introduction to energy manipulations in upconverting, downshifting, and persistence luminescence.
- Assessment of design principles for multimodal bioimaging, oncotherapy, and neuromodulation systems.
Main Results:
- Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles exhibit unique optical properties for deep-tissue imaging and therapeutics.
- Applications span advanced bioimaging, oncotherapy, neuromodulation, X-ray detection, and magnetic resonance imaging.
- Design principles facilitate the creation of multifunctional and sensitive probes for improved diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Lanthanide-activated nanoparticles represent a powerful toolbox for advanced biomedical applications.
- Continued development in energy conversion and nano/biointerfacing will drive future innovations.
- Emerging bioapplications include multimodal bioimaging, stimulus-responsive phototherapy, and optogenetics.
