Glyco-Functionalized Quantum Dots

Quantum dots (QDs), semiconductor nanoparticles with unique photo-physical properties, have become one of the dominant classes of imaging probes for monitoring or labeling biological processes. Particularly, surface bio-functionalizations have facilitated QDs in a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications. The emergence of glycobiology, glycotechnology and glycomics have opened exciting avenue of medicinal applications of carbohydrates. Among them, the biocompatibility and specific receptor recognition ability confer the ability of carbohydrates as potential targeting ligands to modify nanoparticles for site-specific bioimaging and therapeutic applications. This book chapter outlines recent glyco-functionalization of QDs related to their bioconjugation methods, characterizations, and potential applications.