Programmable In Vivo Synthesis of Quantum Dots

In vivo synthesis of quantum dots (QDs) is fundamentally hindered by the inability to control the spatiotemporal coupling of ionic precursors in living organisms. Herein, we present a spatially hierarchical integrated nanosynthesizer (SHINE, FtAg@SS/SiO₂-Se) for the programmable biosynthesis of silver selenide (Ag₂Se) QDs within tumors. The SHINE integrates a ferritin encapsulating silver source with a custom-synthesized selenium source, localized on a physically isolated glutathione (GSH)-responsive silica shell doped with disulfide bonds. Crucially, the thickness of such a shell has provided precise trigger time control over the synthesis. Upon entry into the tumor microenvironment, the elevated GSH triggers a sequential cascade: cleavage of the diselenide bonds generates reactive selenium species, followed by rupture of the silica shell to release the silver-loaded ferritin, thereby enabling spatially and temporally controlled in situ synthesis of Ag₂Se QDs. The SHINE has been validated for high-contrast bioimaging in the second near-infrared window in live mice. Furthermore, the synthesis process and the resulting QDs orchestrate a synergistic antitumor effect by depleting GSH to enhance oxidative stress and conferring potent photothermal conversion, leading to significant tumor suppression. This work establishes a generalizable strategy for the controlled fabrication of functional nanomaterials in vivo.