Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada.
Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Manila, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2020 Nov 25;12(47):52251-52270. doi: 10.1021/acsami.0c14199. Epub 2020 Nov 6.
Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles that exhibit photoluminescent properties useful for applications in the field of diagnostics and medicine. Successful implementation of these QDs for bio-imaging and bio/chemical sensing typically involves conjugation to biologically active molecules for recognition and signal generation. Unfortunately, traditional and widely studied QDs are based upon heavy metals and other toxic elements (, Cd- and Pb-based QDs), which precludes their safe use in actual biological systems. Silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) offer the same advantages as these heavy-metal-based QDs with the added benefits of nontoxicity and abundance. The preparation of functional bio-inorganic hybrids from SiQDs and biomolecules has lagged significantly compared to their traditional toxic counterparts because of the challenges associated with the synthesis of water-soluble SiQDs and their relative instability in aqueous environments. Advances in SiQD synthesis and surface functionalization, however, have made possible the preparation of functional bio-inorganic hybrids from SiQDs and biological molecules through different bioconjugation reactions. In this contribution, we review the various bioconjugate reactions by which SiQDs have been linked to biomolecules and implemented as platforms for bio-imaging and bio/chemical sensing. We also highlight the challenges that need to be addressed and overcome for these materials to reach their full potential. Lastly, we give prospective applications where this unique class of nontoxic and biocompatible materials can be of great utility in the future.
量子点 (QDs) 是半导体纳米粒子，具有有用的光致发光特性，可应用于诊断和医学领域。成功地将这些 QDs 应用于生物成像和生物/化学传感通常涉及与生物活性分子的缀合，以进行识别和信号产生。不幸的是，传统的和广泛研究的 QDs 基于重金属和其他有毒元素（Cd 和 Pb 基 QDs），这限制了它们在实际生物系统中的安全使用。硅量子点 (SiQDs) 具有与这些重金属基 QDs 相同的优势，同时还具有无毒和丰富的优点。由于与水溶性 SiQDs 的合成以及它们在水相环境中的相对不稳定性相关的挑战，与传统的有毒对应物相比，SiQDs 和生物分子的功能生物无机杂化物的制备明显滞后。然而，SiQD 合成和表面功能化方面的进展使得通过不同的生物缀合反应从 SiQDs 和生物分子制备功能生物无机杂化物成为可能。在本贡献中，我们回顾了 SiQDs 与生物分子连接并用作生物成像和生物/化学传感平台的各种生物缀合反应。我们还强调了这些材料需要解决和克服的挑战，以充分发挥其潜力。最后，我们给出了这些独特的无毒和生物相容性材料在未来具有很大用途的有前景的应用。
