Development of multicolor carbon nanoparticles for cell imaging

► Multicolor CNPs were developed using cellulose and cyclodextrin as carbon sources. ► The CNPs are spherical, well-dispersed in water and strong luminescent. ► The CNPs have excellent photostability toward photobleaching. ► The CNPs were successfully used for mouse melanoma cells imaging. ► The CNPs have a great potential for the applications in bioimaging.