Organic dots (O-dots) for theranostic applications: preparation and surface engineering

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Organic dots (O-dots), such as graphene quantum dots and carbon quantum dots, derive photoluminescence from heteroatoms (O, H, N).
• These nanomaterials exhibit small sizes (down to 2.5 nm) and remarkable photostability.
• Their optical properties, including excitation and emission wavelengths, are synthetically tunable, with large absorption coefficients compensating for lower quantum yields compared to organic dyes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of organic dots (O-dots).
• To cover the synthesis, physics, chemistry, and characterization of O-dots.
• To explore the diverse applications of O-dots in medicine and materials science.

Main Methods:

• Surface modification strategies for O-dots to enhance passivation, solubility, and biocompatibility.
• Attachment of targeting moieties and therapeutic cargos to O-dot surfaces.
• Development of hybrid nanostructures incorporating O-dots for theranostic applications.

Main Results:

• O-dots demonstrate potential in preventing protein fibril formation.
• Applications in controlled and targeted drug and gene delivery are highlighted.
• Multifunctional platforms combining imaging and therapeutic modalities (e.g., photothermal/photodynamic therapy) have been developed.

Conclusions:

• O-dots are versatile nanomaterials with significant potential in biomedical applications, especially theranostics.
• Surface functionalization and hybrid structures enable tailored applications in cancer imaging and therapy.
• The review underscores the broad utility of O-dots in advanced therapeutic and diagnostic platforms.