Biomedical Catalyst – Cadmium-free quantum dots for cancer diagnostics using fluorescence imaging

量子点是一种半导体纳米晶体，具有独特的光学性质，在生物医学诊断领域有着广泛的应用前景。本研究将探讨量子点在前哨淋巴结（SLN）定位中的应用，这是肿瘤治疗中的关键技术，进一步的目标是利用靶向量子点与非靶向量子点在转移灶中的荧光定位。对肿瘤附近潜在恶性淋巴结（即前哨淋巴结）进行定位，然后手术切除淋巴结，可以提高生存率。然而，目前使用蓝色染料和放射性胶体的SLN绘图技术有几个缺点。荧光成像为SLN绘图提供了改进的检测灵敏度。Nanoco拥有独特的专利技术，可大量合成不含重金属的水溶性荧光量子点（QD）。该项目旨在展示Nanoco开发的具有红色/NIR荧光的QD的使用和功能化，用于在UCL使用临床相关模型进行SLN/转移映射。

Quantum dot (QDs) are semiconducting nanocrystals with unique optical properties which have stimulated wide interest in their use for biomedical diagnostic applications. In this project we will investigate QDs for Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) mapping which is a key technique in cancer treatment.A further objective is mapping of QD fluorescence in metastases using targeted vs. untargeted QDs. Mapping of potentially malignant lymph nodes adjacent to tumours (ie sentinel nodes) followed by surgical excision of the nodes can lead to improved survival. However current SLN mapping techniques using blue dyes and radioactive colloids have several disadvantages. Fluorescence imaging offers improved detection sensitivity for SLN mapping. Nanoco has unique patented technology to synthesize heavy metal-free water soluble fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) in large quantities. This project aims to demonstrate the use and functionalisation of QDs with red/NIR fluorescence developed by Nanoco for application in SLN/metastasis mapping using clinically relevant models at UCL.