Abstract
The increasing availability of semiconductor-based nanostructures with novel and unique properties has sparked widespread interest in their use in the field of biosensing. The precise control over the size, shape and composition of these nanostructures leads to the accurate control of their physico-chemical properties and overall behavior. Furthermore, modifications can be made to the nanostructures to better suit their integration with biological systems, leading to such interesting properties as enhanced aqueous solubility, biocompatibility or bio-recognition. In the present work, the most significant applications of semiconductor nanostructures in the field of optical biosensing will be reviewed. In particular, the use of quantum dots as fluorescent bioprobes, which is the most widely used application, will be discussed. In addition, the use of some other nanometric structures in the field of biosensing, including porous semiconductors and photonic crystals, will be presented.
Highlights
IntroductionThe increasing availability of techniques for the fabrication and characterization of semiconductorbased nanometric structures with controlled composition and dimensions has sparked widespread interest aiming at their use in different biotechnological systems [1,2], including biosensors [3,4]
The increasing availability of techniques for the fabrication and characterization of semiconductorbased nanometric structures with controlled composition and dimensions has sparked widespread interest aiming at their use in different biotechnological systems [1,2], including biosensors [3,4].the precise control over the size, shape and composition of semiconductor nanostructuresSensors 2009, 9 leads to the accurate control of their physico-chemical properties, allowing tailoring their response
Many current applications of nanostructures in biotechnology are a natural evolution of this approach
Summary
The increasing availability of techniques for the fabrication and characterization of semiconductorbased nanometric structures with controlled composition and dimensions has sparked widespread interest aiming at their use in different biotechnological systems [1,2], including biosensors [3,4]. The interest in the replacement of conventional molecular tags, such as fluorescent chromophores, with nanostructures resides in the superior physico-chemical properties of nanostructures compared to the molecular species they replace [6,7] These include issues such as higher quantum efficiencies, greater scattering or absorbance cross sections, optical activity over more biocompatible wavelengths and significantly increased chemical and photochemical stability [8,9]. The systematic control of nanostructure properties obtained by controlled variations in particle size and dimension is in direct contrast to molecular tags, whose properties vary nonsystematically between molecular species This systematic variation of properties improves traditional applications, and leads to new unique applications well beyond the scope of conventional molecular bioconjugates. The use of some other nanometric structures in the field of biosensing, including nanoporous semiconductors and photonic crystals, will be discussed
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