Functional luminescent nanoparticles are promising materials for in vitro and in vivo optical imaging and therapy due to their unique optical and chemical properties.  In this talk, I will present three new types of biocompatible luminescence nanoparticles that were invented in our lab. The first type of materials is upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). I will present new developments regarding engineering UCNPs towards photodynamic therapy, optogenetic applications in neuroscience and immunotherapy. The second type of nanoparticles is persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs). They are bioluminescence-like and possess unprecedented in vivo deep tissue energy rechargeability, outstanding signal-to-noise-ratio with no need for an excitation resource (light) during imaging, and they can be directly detected with existing imaging systems. These nanoparticles continue to emit light for minutes or hours and, in some cases, days, after turning off the excitation source. These long-lasting, light-emitting nanocrystals can provide noninvasive imaging technology for evaluating structural and functional biological processes in living animals and patients. The third is a type of organic Biodpy nanoparticles that were tailored with outstanding NIR absorbing ability. Rather than the conventional laser light needed in PDT,  I will present their ultralow power lamp operable PDT applications in deep tissue tumor treatment.

From molecules to mammals: Inventing  luminescent nanoparticles for biology

256th National Meeting (2018)

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