QUANTUM DOTS
Quantum Dots: Luminescent nanocrystals of a semiconductor material derived from sulfides of metals. Quantum dots are capable of emitting a myriad of short wavelengths, producing various hues; with the hues depending on the size of the particular parent quantum dot.
Currently, researchers are capable of manipulating the size of quantum dots through the "size quantisation effect"; therefore, each quantum dot may be "tuned" to emit any colour desired.
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However, in order to be used in nanomedicine the quantum dots must be tested to determine their harmful effects and safety for humankind. On May 20, 2012, it was officially stated that over the time intervals of three to twelve months, cadmium-selenide quantum dots have proved to produce safe levels of toxicity in primates. A study conducted in Buffalo, New York involving four rhesus monkeys with in-vivo quantum dot treatment demonstrated that over one year period and 90 days following the procedure, no abnormalities regarding major organs, nor supernatural biochemical levels were observed in the test subjects; however, more information was needed to fully assess the safety of quantum dots for humans.
Meanwhile, new application possibilities for quantum dots emerged: cellular imaging, gene-silencing, and biomedical imaging.
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