Lanthanide-Doped Upconversion Luminescent Nanoparticles—Evolving Role in Bioimaging, Biosensing, and Drug Delivery

Abstract

Upconverting luminescent nanoparticles (UCNPs) are “new generation fluorophores” with an evolving landscape of applications in diverse industries, especially life sciences and healthcare. The anti-Stokes emission accompanied by long luminescence lifetimes, multiple absorptions, emission bands, and good photostability, enables background-free and multiplexed detection in deep tissues for enhanced imaging contrast. Their properties such as high color purity, high resistance to photobleaching, less photodamage to biological samples, attractive physical and chemical stability, and low toxicity are affected by the chemical composition; nanoparticle crystal structure, size, shape and the route; reagents; and procedure used in their synthesis. A wide range of hosts and lanthanide ion (Ln3+) types have been used to control the luminescent properties of nanosystems. By modification of these properties, the performance of UCNPs can be designed for anticipated end-use applications such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), high-resolution displays, bioimaging, biosensors, and drug delivery. The application landscape of inorganic nanomaterials in biological environments can be expanded by bridging the gap between nanoparticles and biomolecules via surface modifications and appropriate functionalization. This review highlights the synthesis, surface modification, and biomedical applications of UCNPs, such as bioimaging and drug delivery, and presents the scope and future perspective on Ln-doped UCNPs in biomedical applications.

Potential Biomedical Applications of Terbium-Based Nanoparticles (TbNPs): A Review on Recent Advancement

“…Therefore, the study demonstrated the application of photosensitized TbNPs bioconjugates for biosensing and bioimaging. These prepared nano bioconjugates also showed binding to that of the transmembrane epidermal growth factor receptors; thus, the prepared formulation can be utilized as stable luminescence markers for intercellular signaling. ,, …”

“…These prepared nano bioconjugates also showed binding to that of the transmembrane epidermal growth factor receptors; thus, the prepared formulation can be utilized as stable luminescence markers for intercellular signaling. 44,122,123 The Tb (III)-guanosine monophosphate-mercury(II) coordination polymeric NPs have been utilized previously to FRET pair with the help of the nanoprism for the development of the biosensor. The work employed a modified lanthanidebinding peptide containing tryptophan that efficiently sensitizes bound lanthanide ions, resulting in the creation of a trypsin cleavage site.…”

Upconversion nanoparticles and its based photodynamic therapy for antibacterial applications: A state-of-the-art review

“…Considering the complexity of many UCNP systems, the long-term stability and biosafety of these nanoparticles need to be seriously investigated. More research is also needed into the effects of UCNPs on the nervous and immune systems in humans ( Jethva et al, 2022 ).…”

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