This project aims to address the current limitations of existing in vivo optical imaging nanoprobes (ONPs). Specifically, the present study targets a tangible breakthrough that will increase both the optical contrast and sub-tissu...
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Información proyecto LANTERNS
Duración del proyecto: 37 meses
Fecha Inicio: 2018-03-19
Fecha Fin: 2021-04-30
Fecha límite de participación
Sin fecha límite de participación.
Descripción del proyecto
This project aims to address the current limitations of existing in vivo optical imaging nanoprobes (ONPs). Specifically, the present study targets a tangible breakthrough that will increase both the optical contrast and sub-tissue penetration depth of optical imaging, compared to that obtainable with state-of-the art contrast agents. In particular, the ability to optically overcome the limitations imposed by autofluorescence (light endogenously generated by the specimen upon irradiation) constitutes a very demanding requirement for the real-life application of ONPs. In LANTERNS my proposal is to accomplish the above-mentioned goals through an elegant marriage between lanthanide (Ln) ions and chalcogenide ternary quantum dots (QDs), the latter acting as a host for the ions. These smartly-designed ONPs (Ln-QDs) will have a superior capability for minimally-invasive deep-tissue imaging, owing to an unprecedented brightness and fully near-infrared (NIR) operational capabilities. These features will endow the so-designed Ln-QDs with outstanding optical contrast and sub-tissue penetration depth. In perspective, the development of this system will deliver an all-optical diagnostic practice that will reduce patient risk, in terms of possible harm, and lessen the amount of radiation required to localize malignancies. These goals will be achieved concurrently with a considerable reduction of the imaging costs via the use of low-cost excitation sources and signal detection setups, also shortening the imaging times. The project is also expected to lead to the assessment of a widely applicable method to produce a virtually infinite number of Ln-QDs, whose optical properties could be finely tuned throughout the entire optical radiation spectrum. Beyond the main biomedical aim of this project, the expected progress will constitute a significant leap within the luminescent materials science field, with an appeal to a broad scientific community.