Biologically Adaptable Quantum Dots: Intracellular in Situ Synthetic Strategy and Mechanism
Abstract
ConspectusQuantum dots (QDs), a remarkable inorganic semiconductor nanocrystal capable of converting light energy into electrical, chemical, thermal, and other forms of energy, can be used to create super living systems through their fusion with cells, which hold tremendous potential for biomedical applications. Although considerable efforts have been devoted to delivering in vitro synthesized QDs into cells via endocytosis or electroporation, these approaches often suffer from poor biocompatibility, uncontrolled uptake pathways, and nonspecific intracellular interactions. Moreover, to satisfy the stringent demands of biological environments, QDs produced through conventional synthetic routes typically require extensive postsynthetic treatments, such as phase transfer into aqueous media and surface functionalization, which can irreversibly disrupt their surface structure and substantially compromise their photoluminescence quantum yield and photostability. Consequently, the exceptional optical properties of QDs are difficult to fully maintain when applied in physiological environments.Live-cell synthesis of QDs provides an innovative strategy to overcome these intrinsic limitations. By harnessing the intracellular spatiotemporally organized biochemical metabolic networks, this strategy enables the controlled synthesis of QDs while synchronously accomplishing in situ labeling. The resulting QDs are naturally coated with endogenous biomolecules and can be directed to form at…
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