Silica-coated quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles for bioimaging applications (Mini-Review)

Fluorescent quantum dots (e.g., CdSe-ZnS) and magnetic nanoparticles (e.g., Fe(2)O(3) or Fe(3)O(4)) are two important candidate systems that have been emerging as potential probes for bioimaging applications. This review focuses on the development of silica-coated inorganic probes (optical and magnetic) that are originated mainly from the author's laboratory for bioimaging applications. The recent developments in the synthesis of rare earth nanoparticles for multimodality imaging are also delineated.