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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
11:20
An Integrated System to Remotely Trigger Intracellular Signal Transduction by Upconversion Nanoparticle-mediated Kinase Photoactivation
Published on: August 30, 2017
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Multifunctional Upconversion Nanoparticles Transforming Photoacoustic Imaging: A Review
Yuqian Zhang1, Zerui Li2, Ziqing Du3
1Nepean Hospital, Kingswood, NSW 2747, Australia.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 25, 2025
Summary
Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) offer unique optical properties for photoacoustic imaging (PAI). This review highlights their potential as contrast agents for advanced biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Nanotechnology
- Optics
Background:
- Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) combines optical resolution with ultrasound's tissue penetration.
- Diverse contrast agents are crucial for PAI advancements.
- Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) possess unique optical properties and tunable near-infrared absorption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the significance of UCNPs in photoacoustic imaging.
- To discuss UCNPs' structural characteristics, advantages, and limitations.
- To provide an updated account of UCNP applications in PAI literature.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of UCNPs in photoacoustic imaging.
- Analysis of UCNP structural properties and optical features.
- Evaluation of UCNP performance as contrast agents in PAI.
Main Results:
- UCNPs show promise as contrast agents due to tunable NIR absorption and unique optical features.
- UCNPs have demonstrated potential in various PAI applications.
- Current literature showcases diverse UCNP development for PAI.
Conclusions:
- UCNPs are significant emerging contrast agents for PAI.
- Further research is needed to address challenges for clinical translation.
- UCNPs hold promise for preclinical and clinical diagnostic applications.
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