Nanoparticle fluorescence based technology for biological applications.

Fluorescence is widely used in biological detection and imaging. The emerging luminescent nanoparticles or quantum dots provide a new type of biological agents that can improve these applications. The advantages of luminescent nanoparticles for biological applications include their high quantum yield, color availability, good photo-stability, large surface-to-volume ratio, surface functionality, and small size. In this review article, we first introduce quantum size confinement, photoluminescence and upconversion luminescence of nanoparticles, then describe the preparation and conjugation of water soluble nanoparticles and introduce the applications of luminescence nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo imaging, fluorescence resonance energy based detection, and the applications of luminescence nanoparticles for photodynamic activation.