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Biosensors Apr 2022Two-dimensional quantum dots (2D-QDs) derived from two-dimensional sheets have received increasing interest owing to their unique properties, such as large specific... (Review)
Review
Two-dimensional quantum dots (2D-QDs) derived from two-dimensional sheets have received increasing interest owing to their unique properties, such as large specific surface areas, abundant active sites, good aqueous dispersibility, excellent electrical property, easy functionalization, and so on. A variety of 2D-QDs have been developed based on different materials including graphene, black phosphorus, nitrides, transition metal dichalcogenides, transition metal oxides, and MXenes. These 2D-QDs share some common features due to the quantum confinement effects and they also possess unique properties owing to their structural differences. In this review, we discuss the categories, properties, and synthetic routes of these 2D-QDs and emphasize their applications in electrochemical biosensors. We deeply hope that this review not only stimulates more interest in 2D-QDs, but also promotes further development and applications of 2D-QDs in various research fields.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Graphite; Oxides; Quantum Dots; Transition Elements
PubMed: 35448314
DOI: 10.3390/bios12040254 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces May 2022Optoelectronic modulation of neural activity is an emerging field for the investigation of neural circuits and the development of neural therapeutics. Among a wide... (Review)
Review
Optoelectronic modulation of neural activity is an emerging field for the investigation of neural circuits and the development of neural therapeutics. Among a wide variety of nanomaterials, colloidal quantum dots provide unique optoelectronic features for neural interfaces such as sensitive tuning of electron and hole energy levels via the quantum confinement effect, controlling the carrier localization via band alignment, and engineering the surface by shell growth and ligand engineering. Even though colloidal quantum dots have been frontier nanomaterials for solar energy harvesting and lighting, their application to optoelectronic neural interfaces has remained below their significant potential. However, this potential has recently gained attention with the rise of bioelectronic medicine. In this review, we unravel the fundamentals of quantum-dot-based optoelectronic biointerfaces and discuss their neuromodulation mechanisms starting from the quantum dot level up to electrode-electrolyte interactions and stimulation of neurons with their physiological pathways. We conclude the review by proposing new strategies and possible perspectives toward nanodevices for the optoelectronic stimulation of neural tissue by utilizing the exceptional nanoscale properties of colloidal quantum dots.
Topics: Electrodes; Nanostructures; Neurons; Quantum Dots; Solar Energy
PubMed: 35482955
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c25009 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021Quantum dots (QDs), are one kind of nanoscale semiconductor crystals with specific electronic and optical properties, offering near-infrared mission and chemically... (Review)
Review
Quantum dots (QDs), are one kind of nanoscale semiconductor crystals with specific electronic and optical properties, offering near-infrared mission and chemically active surfaces. Increasing interest for QDs exists in developing theranostics platforms for bioapplications such as imaging, drug delivery and therapy. Here we summarized QDs' biomedical applications, toxicity, and immunological effects on the respiratory system. Bioapplications of QDs in lung include biomedical imaging, drug delivery, bio-sensing or diagnosis and therapy. Generically, toxic effects of nanoparticles are related to the generation of oxidative stresses with subsequent DNA damage and decreased lung cells viability and because of release of toxic metal ions or the features of QDs like its surface charge. Lastly, pulmonary immunological effects of QDs mainly include proinflammatory cytokines release and recruiting innate leukocytes or adaptive T cells.
Topics: Animals; Biosensing Techniques; Drug Carriers; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Immunomodulation; Molecular Imaging; Quantum Dots; Respiratory System; Theranostic Nanomedicine
PubMed: 35069577
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.795232 -
Communications Biology Jun 2022Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson disease (PD), dementia with Lewy body (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA) that involve...
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson disease (PD), dementia with Lewy body (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA) that involve deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain. The inoculation of α-syn aggregates derived from synucleinopathy or preformed fibrils (PFF) formed in vitro induces misfolding and deposition of endogenous α-syn. This is referred to as prion-like transmission, and the mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we label α-syn PFF with quantum dots and visualize their movement directly in acute slices of brain tissue inoculated with α-syn PFF seeds. Using this system, we find that the trafficking of α-syn seeds is dependent on fast axonal transport and the seed spreading is dependent on endocytosis and neuronal activity. We also observe pharmacological effects on α-syn seed spreading; clinically available drugs including riluzole are effective in reducing the spread of α-syn seeds and this effect is also observed in vivo. Our quantum-dot-labeled α-syn seed assay system combined with in vivo transmission experiment reveals an early phase of transmission, in which uptake and spreading of seeds occur depending on neuronal activity, and a later phase, in which seeds induce the propagation of endogenous misfolded α-syn.
Topics: Brain; Humans; Parkinson Disease; Prions; Quantum Dots; Synucleinopathies; alpha-Synuclein
PubMed: 35768587
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03590-8 -
Nature Communications Aug 2017Biotemplated nanomaterials offer versatile functionality for multimodal imaging, biosensing, and drug delivery. There remains an unmet need for traceable and...
Biotemplated nanomaterials offer versatile functionality for multimodal imaging, biosensing, and drug delivery. There remains an unmet need for traceable and biocompatible nanomaterials that can be synthesized in a precisely controllable manner. Here, we report self-assembled quantum dot DNA hydrogels that exhibit both size and spectral tunability. We successfully incorporate DNA-templated quantum dots with high quantum yield, long-term photostability, and low cytotoxicity into a hydrogel network in a single step. By leveraging DNA-guided interactions, we introduce multifunctionality for a variety of applications, including enzyme-responsive drug delivery and cell-specific targeting. We report that quantum dot DNA hydrogels can be used for delivery of doxorubicin, an anticancer drug, to increase potency 9-fold against cancer cells. This approach also demonstrated high biocompatibility, trackability, and in vivo therapeutic efficacy in mice bearing xenografted breast cancer tumors. This work paves the way for the development of new tunable biotemplated nanomaterials with multiple synergistic functionalities for biomedical applications.The development of nanomaterials for imaging and drug delivery has been of great interest to the field. Here, the authors synthesized multifunctional enzyme-responsive hydrogels with self-assembling quantum dots for nucleic acid and drug delivery as well as having imaging capability.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Breast Neoplasms; Cells, Cultured; Doxorubicin; Drug Delivery Systems; Female; HeLa Cells; Humans; Hydrogels; Materials Testing; Mice; Quantum Dots; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
PubMed: 28851869
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00298-w -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2021Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles with outstanding optoelectronic properties. More specifically, QDs are highly bright and exhibit wide absorption... (Review)
Review
Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles with outstanding optoelectronic properties. More specifically, QDs are highly bright and exhibit wide absorption spectra, narrow light bands, and excellent photovoltaic stability, which make them useful in bioscience and medicine, particularly for sensing, optical imaging, cell separation, and diagnosis. In general, QDs are stabilized using a hydrophobic ligand during synthesis, and thus their hydrophobic surfaces must undergo hydrophilic modification if the QDs are to be used in bioapplications. Silica-coating is one of the most effective methods for overcoming the disadvantages of QDs, owing to silica's physicochemical stability, nontoxicity, and excellent bioavailability. This review highlights recent progress in the design, preparation, and application of silica-coated QDs and presents an overview of the major challenges and prospects of their application.
Topics: Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Biological Availability; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cadmium; Cell Line, Tumor; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Micelles; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; Optical Imaging; Phenotype; Quantum Dots; Serum Albumin, Human; Silicon Dioxide; Surface Properties
PubMed: 34576279
DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810116 -
Bio Systems Sep 2018In this review, the author shows that ferritin has documented quantum dot material properties that have been reported in numerous independent studies, and can enable... (Review)
Review
In this review, the author shows that ferritin has documented quantum dot material properties that have been reported in numerous independent studies, and can enable quantum mechanical electron transport over substantial distances. In addition, neuromelanin is a pi-conjugated polymer, and quantum dot/pi-conjugated polymer combinations have been reported in numerous independent studies to facilitate electron transport for solar photovoltaic and other applications. Both ferritin and neuromelanin are present in large quantities in the dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compactaand the norepinephrine neurons of the locus coeruleus. The unique structure of subgroups of these neurons that have a large number of axon branches and synapses may have evolved to take advantage of this electron transport mechanism, if it is present, such as to coordinate conscious action, or for other purposes. Independent clinical and laboratory studies are also reviewed that corroborate this theory of coordinated action in these neuron groups. Research to validate the theory using charge transport measurements, materials characterization, existing fluorescent probe material and reaction time testing is proposed.
Topics: Animals; Dopamine; Ferritins; Humans; Locus Coeruleus; Melanins; Neurons; Norepinephrine; Quantum Dots; Substantia Nigra
PubMed: 30048795
DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2018.07.008 -
Computational Intelligence and... 2021The quantum dot is a kind of nanoparticle whose dimension is smaller than the size of a typical nanoparticle ranging from tens of nanometers to a few hundredths of... (Review)
Review
The quantum dot is a kind of nanoparticle whose dimension is smaller than the size of a typical nanoparticle ranging from tens of nanometers to a few hundredths of nanometers. The quantum mechanical behavior associated with the quantum dot displays different optical and electronic properties, enabling the quantum dot to find potential applications in a multitude of areas such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, lasers, and biomedical applications. The objective of this investigation is to explore its fundamentals, synthesis, and applications, especially in the healthcare domain. We have discussed the quantum dot synthesis techniques using chemical methods, namely, wet-chemical methods and vapor-phase methods and plasma processing methods, namely, an ion sputtering method and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method. We have thoroughly investigated the application of quantum dots in imaging, diagnostics, and gene therapy areas. A significant outcome of this review is to propose quantum dots as a new modality in the treatment of cancer and gene therapeutics in the healthcare domain and the potentials of artificial intelligence to improve their performance via the applications of neural networks.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Health Services Research; Humans; Quantum Dots
PubMed: 34413883
DOI: 10.1155/2021/2096208 -
Advanced Healthcare Materials Jul 2018Adding value to the intrinsic properties of quantum dots (QDs), a strategy to conjugate dyes on the surface of QDs offers new opportunities, since the coupling between... (Review)
Review
Adding value to the intrinsic properties of quantum dots (QDs), a strategy to conjugate dyes on the surface of QDs offers new opportunities, since the coupling between QD and dyes can be designed to allow Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and/or electron transfer (eT). These processes are accompanied by the change of QD and/or dye fluorescence and subsequent photochemical reactions (e.g., generation of O ). Based on the change of fluorescence signals by the interaction with biomolecules, QD-dye conjugates are exploited as biosensors for the detection of pH, O , nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate), ions, proteases, glutathione, and microRNA. QD-dye conjugates also can be modulated by the irradiation of external light; this concept is demonstrated for fluorescence super-resolution imaging as photoactivatable or photoswitchable probes. When QDs are conjugated with photosensitizing dyes, the QD-dye conjugates can generate O in a repetitive manner for better cancer treatment, and can also be available for approaches using two-photon excitation or bioluminescence resonance energy transfer mechanisms for deep tissue imaging. Here, the recent advances in QD-dye conjugates, where FRET or eT produces fluorescence readouts or photochemical reactions, are reviewed. Various QD-dye conjugate systems and their biosensing/imaging and photodynamic therapeutics are summarized.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; Glutathione; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; NAD; Quantum Dots
PubMed: 29862653
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201800252 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022Soybean glycinin, as a major soybean allergen, is difficult to accurately quantify due to its large molecular weight and complex structure. CdSe/ZnS quantum dot nanobead...
Soybean glycinin, as a major soybean allergen, is difficult to accurately quantify due to its large molecular weight and complex structure. CdSe/ZnS quantum dot nanobead (QB) is a core/shell fluorescent nanomaterial with strong fluorescent signals and high sensitivity at 630 nm. An immunosorbent assay based on CdSe/ZnS quantum dot nanobeads (QBs-FLISA) was developed for the glycinin quantification in soybean and soybean products. Here, the purified glycinin was coated on the microporous plate to serve as the coating antigen, and CdSe/ZnS nanobead conjugated with anti-glycinin polyclonal antibodies was used as fluorescent detection probe. The target glycinin in the sample and the coated antigen on the plate competitively adsorbed the antibody labeled the CdSe/ZnS QBs probes. The limits of detection and quantitation for glycinin were 0.035 and 0.078 μg mL, respectively. The recoveries of the spiked samples ranged from 89.8% to 105.6%, with relative standard deviation less than 8.6%. However, compared with ELISA, the sensitivities of QBs-FLISA for the detection of glycinin were increased by 7 times, and the detection time was shortened by two-thirds. This QBs-FLISA method has been effectively applied to the detection of soybean seeds with different varieties and soy products with different processing techniques, which will provide a rapid screening method for soybean and soybean products with low allergens.
Topics: Allergens; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Fluorescent Dyes; Globulins; Immunosorbents; Quantum Dots; Soybean Proteins; Glycine max
PubMed: 35744793
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123664