• DOI:10.1016/j.ccr.2019.213042
• Corpus ID: 203938224

Upconversion and downconversion nanoparticles for biophotonics and nanomedicine

@article{Loo2019UpconversionAD,
  title={Upconversion and downconversion nanoparticles for biophotonics and nanomedicine},
  author={Jacky Fong-Chuen Loo and Yi-Hsin Chien and Feng Yin and Siu Kai Kong and Ho‐Pui Ho and Ken‐Tye Yong},
  journal={Coordination Chemistry Reviews},
  year={2019},
  volume={400},
  pages={213042}
}

• J. Loo, Y. Chien, +3 authors K. Yong
• Published 1 December 2019
• Chemistry
• Coordination Chemistry Reviews

Abstract In the last decade, upconversion and downconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs and DCNPs) have exhibited attractive unique optical properties and are used in various fields, including photonics, energy and chemical engineering. They recently showed potential in biophotonics and nanomedicine research, such as ultrasensitive biosensing and light-controlled cancer therapy. This review first summarizes the synthesis, chemical and optical properties and the functionalization of different UCNPs and DCNPs, and then focuses on recent advances in employing functional UCNPs and DCNPs for bio-imaging and -sensing in disease diagnostics. It also highlights the in-depth research of UCNPs and DCNPs for nanomedicine applications, especially both in vitro and in vivo cancer therapy, such as light-controlled drug and gene delivery. Finally, it provides concluding perspectives, challenges and future directions on the use of UCNPs and DCNPs in biomedical and clinical research. The objective of this review is to introduce UCNPs and DCNPs available in biomedical research to the general readers to facilitate further research and development of both fundamental sciences and applications.