A technology for life
The use of quantum dots for biological imaging provides researchers and clinicians with new and versatile approaches to a range of biomedical challenges. Though traditional heavy metal quantum dots have been used for some time under test conditions in diagnostics, cell imaging and drug discovery, the advent of heavy metal-free quantum dots opens up the use of their light emitting properties for human treatment.
Specific aids to treatment are created through bio-functionalisation. To the exterior of the quantum dot, beyond the standard coating or “capping agent”, a bio-molecular layer is attached. The choice of bio-molecular layer can vary, and will depend upon what the clinician wishes to achieve.
For example, the surgical removal of cancerous cells can be facilitated by using a biomolecular layer which causes the quantum dots to be attracted to those cells. When a surgeon operates to remove the cancer, the cells can be caused to glow brightly by shining an ultraviolet lamp on them, making it easy to see exactly where to operate.
The nearest equivalent solution available to clinicians today, fluorescent dyes, suffer from “photo bleaching” (rapid degradation which is not an issue for stable quantum dots), thereby limiting their effectiveness in most clinical scenarios.