Upconversion: road to El Dorado of the fluorescence world |
| |
| Authors: | Yong Zhang |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Division of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore;2. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore |
| |
| Abstract: | Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNs), in the recent times have attracted attention due to their unique properties, which makes them ideal fluorophores for use in biological applications. There have been various reports on their use for targeted cell imaging, drug and gene delivery and also for diffuse optical tomography. Here we give a brief introduction on what are UCNs and the mechanism of upconversion, followed by a discussion on the biological applications of UCNs and further on what the future holds for UCNs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
| |
| Keywords: | Upconversion nanoparticles UCN biological applications imaging |
|
|
