Supramolecular Self-assembled Nanomaterials for Fluorescence Bioimaging

Abstract

In recent years, the construction of self-assembled nanomaterials with diversified structures and functionalities via fine tune of supramolecular building blocks increases rapidly. The self-assembled nanomaterials are potential high-efficient probes/contrast agents for high-performance fluorescence imaging techniques, which show distinguished advantages in terms of the availability of biocompatible imaging agents, maneuverable instruments, and high temporal resolution with good sensitivity. Generally, the self-assembled nanomaterials show high stability in vivo, prolonged half-life, and desirable targeting properties. Furthermore, self-assembled nanomaterials can be modulated by intelligent stimuli due to the dynamic nature of supramolecular materials. In this chapter, we will summarize recent advances in smart self-assembled nanomaterials as fluorescence probes/contrast agents for biomedical imaging, including long-term imaging, enzyme activity detection, and aggregation-induced retention (AIR) effect for diagnosis and therapy. The self-assembled nanomaterials will be classified into two groups, i.e., the ex situ and in situ self-assembled nanomaterials based on the assembly mode and the strategy for fluorescence regulation. Finally, we conclude with an outlook toward future developments of self-assembled nanomaterials for fluorescence bioimaging.