Surface Modifications Technology of Quantum Dots Based Biosensors and Their Medical Applications

Quantum dots (QDs) as a new type of nano-structured luminescent materials has been widely used in biology, materials science, and physical optics. QD-based biosensors can be used for the rapid and accurate detection of biological macromolecules or inorganic molecules both in vivo and in vitro. To enhance their fluorescence properties and lower their biological toxicity, the surface of QDs needs to be modified. Currently, the surface modification technologies mainly include multidentate ligand, sulphydryl group coupling, amphiphilic molecules, cavity-chain, and dendrimer technology. Meanwhile, various biosensors have been developed by adopting different modification techniques to locate and track a variety of disease-specific biological molecules. Although enormous literatures have reported the biological applications of QD-based biosensors, few systematic reviews of surface modification technologies on QDs have been published. This paper reviews the surface modification technologies of QDs in biosensors and their medical applications.

Graphical abstractFive prevalent technologies were reviewed for the quantum dots surface modification, including multidentate ligand, sulfydryl coupling, amphiphilic molecules, cavity-chain, and dendrimers surface modification technology. And their according biological applications were also reviewed.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide