Ultrasmall metal nanoclusters as efficient luminescent probes for bioimaging

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Imaging
• Materials Science

Background:

• Ultrasmall metal nanoclusters (NCs, <2 nm) offer unique luminescent properties due to their atomically precise structure.
• Advancements in atomic-level manipulation enable tailored physicochemical properties for novel applications.
• Metal NCs are emerging as promising probes for various bioimaging modalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the engineering strategies for metal NCs as luminescent probes in bioimaging.
• To explore the diverse applications of metal NCs across different biological scales.
• To provide insights into future challenges and developments in metal NC-based bioimaging.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on metal nanocluster synthesis and functionalization.
• Analysis of strategies for enhancing luminescence, biocompatibility, and targeting of metal NCs.
• Compilation of bioimaging applications at subcellular, cellular, tissue, and organ levels.

Main Results:

• Key engineering strategies improve metal NCs' luminescence, biocompatibility, and targeting efficiency.
• Metal NCs demonstrate successful applications in imaging subcellular organelles, cells, tissues, and organs.
• The review highlights the versatility and potential of metal NCs in advanced bioimaging.

Conclusions:

• Metal nanoclusters are highly effective luminescent probes for bioimaging, owing to their tunable properties.
• Continued engineering efforts will expand their utility in preclinical and clinical diagnostics.
• Future research should address challenges to fully realize the potential of metal NCs in biological visualization.