Quantum Dots: From Synthesis to Applications in Biomedicine and Life Sciences

Dear Colleagues,

The introduction of Quantum Dots for research purposes has significantly contributed to our understanding of various fundamental questions and phenomena in Biomedicine and Life Sciences and comprises a rapidly developing field of science. Novel synthesis methods have provided a wide spectrum of Quantum Dots and related Nano-crystals and are now utilized in various biomedical applications, such as fluorescence microscopy, correlation spectroscopy, single-cell biochemistry, flow cytometry, DNA and protein arrays, immunoassays, cyto-and histochemistry, in situ hybridization, PCR, and Drug screening in a high throughput setting.

In order to bring recent developments and advancements in Nano-Crystal technology closer to Life Scientists and Students alike, thus both, educate as well as stimulate the integration of these novel thechnologies into Life Science research efforts, this special issue aims to actively recruit leading scientists in the field to share their knowledge.

High quality research papers, methodological papers, reviews or mini-reviews with regard to Synthesis, Biomedical-, and Life Science applications of Quantum Dots are considered for publication. In addition, purely educational papers from which students and researchers may benefit are very welcome. Previously unpublished original experimental and review papers are petitioned for regarding the following and related topics listed under keywords.

Dr. Gregor Drummen
Guest Editor

Leading Papers and Reviews

• Caruthers, S.D.; Wickline, S.A.; Lanza, G.M. Nanotechnological applications in medicine. Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 2007, 18, 26-30.
• Rao, J.; Dragulescu-Andrasi, A.; Yao, H. Fluorescence imaging in vivo: recent advances. Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 2007, 18, 17-25.
• Jaiswal, J.K.; Simon, S.M. Imaging single events at the cell membrane. Nat. Chem. Biol. 2007, 3, 92-8.
• Kaji, N.; Tokeshi, M.; Baba, Y. Quantum dots for single bio-molecule imaging. Anal. Sci. 2007, 23, 21-4.
• Willner, I.; Basnar, B.; Willner, B. Nanoparticle-enzyme hybrid systems for nanobiotechnology. FEBS J. 2007, 274, 302-9. Review.
• Hernandez-Sanchez, B.A.; Boyle, T.J.; Lambert, T.N.; Daniel-Taylor, S.D.; Oliver, J.M.; Wilson, B.S.; Lidke, D.S.; Andrews, N.L. Synthesizing biofunctionalized nanoparticles to image cell signaling pathways. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2006, 5, 222-30.
• Gallego, O.; Puntes, V. What can nanotechnology do to fight cancer? Clin. Transl. Oncol. 2006, 8, 788-95.
• Du, W.; Wang, Y.; Luo, Q.; Liu, B.F. Optical molecular imaging for systems biology: from molecule to organism. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2006, 386, 444-57.
• Jares-Erijman, E.A.; Jovin, T.M. Imaging molecular interactions in living cells by FRET microscopy. Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 2006, 10, 409-16.
• Scholes, G.D.; Rumbles, G. Excitons in nanoscale systems. Nat. Mater. 2006, 5, 683-96. Erratum in: Nat. Mater. 2006, 5, 920.
• Wang, M.D.; Shin, D.M.; Simons, J.W.; Nie, S. Nanotechnology for targeted cancer therapy. Expert Rev. Anticancer Ther. 2007, 7, 833-7.