Title :
Using Some Nanoparticles as Contrast Agents for Optical Bioimaging
Author :
Qian, Jun ; Fu, Tao ; Zhan, Qiuqiang ; He, Sailing
Author_Institution :
State Key Lab. of Modern Opt. Instrum., Zhejiang Univ., Hangzhou, China
Abstract :
The introduction of nanometric contrast agents to optical imaging is helpful for the understanding of some biological processes at the molecular level, as well as the development of diagnostic tools and therapies. Optical imaging agents such as gold nanorods (GNRs), quantum dots (QDs), and organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles can overcome many drawbacks of conventional agents, such as poor contrast, photobleaching, and low chemical and optical stability in biological environment. These nanoparticles can also be developed for absorbance, emission, and scattering in the near-IR region, which allows optical approaches for deep-tissue real-time imaging. The synthesis methods and optical properties of GNRs, QDs, and ORMOSIL nanoparticles are briefly introduced, and some of their applications in optical bioimaging are demonstrated. Specific targeting, “green” synthesis methods, and optical signal demodulation are also introduced.
Keywords :
biomedical optical imaging; gold; nanobiotechnology; nanoparticles; organic compounds; Au; ORMOSIL; chemical stability; deep tissue real time imaging; diagnostic tool; gold nanorod; green synthesis method; nanometric contrast agent; nanoparticle; optical bioimaging; optical signal demodulation; optical stability; organically modified silica; photobleaching; quantum dot; specific targeting; Gold nanorods (GNRs); optical agents; optical imaging; organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles; quantum dots (QDs);
Journal_Title :
Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JSTQE.2009.2030155