Advanced Uses of Quantum Dots in Medical Imaging

Quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as a promising nanotechnology-based tool for medical imaging due to their unique properties, such as size-tunable fluorescence, high brightness, photostability, and biocompatibility. The advanced uses of QDs in medical imaging include their application in fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET). QDs can be functionalized with specific ligands, antibodies, or peptides to selectively target biomolecules or cells, enabling specific imaging of disease states or molecular events in living organisms. QDs also have the potential to act as drug carriers or contrast agents for imaging-guided therapy. However, the clinical translation of QDs requires further investigation and optimization regarding toxicity, biodegradability, and clearance. This chapter provides an overview of the recent advancements in QD-based medical imaging and discusses the challenges and opportunities in their translation from bench to bedside.