Recent advances in bioapplications of C-dots

Luminescent nanomaterials have been explored intensively to serve as biosensors and bioimaging agents and for other biomedical bioapplications. Among them, carbon dots (C-dots) as a new type of biocompatible carbon-based nanomaterials have attracted tremendous attention because of their low toxicity, excellent water solubility, ease of synthesis and functionalization, and outstanding photostability. In this review, we introduce the fundamental properties of C-dots and focus on their recent bioapplications in biosensing and bioimaging. In addition, we also summarize the most recent progress in drug and gene delivery, biomimic catalysis, and interactions with biomolecules, such as C-dots induced DNA B–Z transition.