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Quantum Dots for Biomedical Biosensing, NIR-II Bioimaging, and Phototherapy: Materials Design, Signal Transduction,
Jie Ju1, Zhifang Liu2, Xinran Gao3
1Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Day Oncology Unit, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|April 30, 2026
Summary
Quantum dots (QDs) offer tunable optical properties for advanced biomedical uses. This review covers QD fabrication, applications in biosensing, bioimaging, and cancer therapy, and challenges for clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Chemistry
Background:
- Quantum dots (QDs) are inorganic nanomaterials with tunable photoluminescence, photostability, and size-dependent quantum confinement.
- Their optical properties enable tailored emission and broad absorption, making them suitable for biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review QD fabrication strategies, focusing on bottom-up and biomimetic synthesis.
- To discuss cutting-edge QD applications in biosensing, bioimaging, and cancer therapeutics.
- To examine challenges and optimization strategies for clinical translation of QDs.
Main Methods:
- Colloidal synthesis
- Hydrothermal methods
- Solvothermal methods
- Biomimetic synthesis
Main Results:
- QDs show promise in high-sensitivity biosensing for diagnostics.
- They are effective in fluorescence, magnetic resonance, and photoacoustic bioimaging.
- QDs serve as intelligent nanocarriers for targeted cancer drug delivery and precision surgery.
Conclusions:
- Significant challenges remain for the clinical translation of QD technologies.
- Addressing these bottlenecks requires further research and development.
- This review provides guidance for advancing QDs from lab to clinical practice.
