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Updated: May 8, 2026
Production and Targeting of Monovalent Quantum Dots
Published on: October 23, 2014
Programmable In Vivo Synthesis of Quantum Dots
Jianhong Jia1, Qianyu Liu1, Ran Li1
1Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, College of Life Sciences, Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Chemistry Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, P. R. China.
Researchers developed a novel nanosynthesizer for in vivo quantum dot (QD) production, enabling controlled silver selenide QD synthesis within tumors for enhanced bioimaging and synergistic antitumor effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- In vivo synthesis of quantum dots (QDs) is limited by challenges in controlling precursor spatiotemporal distribution.
- Developing methods for controlled nanomaterial fabrication within living systems is crucial for advanced therapeutics and diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a spatially hierarchical integrated nanosynthesizer (SHINE) for programmable in vivo biosynthesis of silver selenide (Ag2Se) QDs.
- To achieve controlled, time-triggered synthesis of Ag2Se QDs within the tumor microenvironment for bioimaging and cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Integration of a silver-loaded ferritin with a custom selenium source within a glutathione (GSH)-responsive silica shell.
- Utilizing the shell thickness for precise synthesis timing and elevated tumor microenvironment GSH for triggering QD formation.
- In vivo validation using high-contrast bioimaging in the second near-infrared window in live mice.
Main Results:
- Successful in situ synthesis of Ag2Se QDs within tumors using the SHINE system.
- Demonstrated high-contrast bioimaging capabilities in live mice.
- Observed synergistic antitumor effects through GSH depletion, enhanced oxidative stress, and photothermal conversion, leading to significant tumor suppression.
Conclusions:
- The SHINE system enables spatially and temporally controlled in vivo synthesis of functional nanomaterials.
- This approach offers a generalizable strategy for fabricating nanomaterials in vivo for theranostic applications.
- The synthesized Ag2Se QDs exhibit potential for advanced bioimaging and cancer therapy.
