Tiny Silicon Crystals Could Be Safe for Deep-Tissue Imaging, University at Buffalo Study

Staying up-to-date has never been simpler. Sign up for the free GenePool newsletter today!

Tiny silicon crystals caused no health problems in monkeys three months after large doses were injected, marking a step forward in the quest to bring such materials into clinics as biomedical imaging agents, according to a new study. The findings, published online July 10 in the journal ACS Nano, suggest that the silicon nanocrystals, known as quantum dots, may be a safe tool for diagnostic imaging in humans. The nanocrystals absorb and emit light in the near-infrared part of the spectrum, a quality that makes them ideal for seeing deeper into tissue than traditional fluorescence-based techniques.

Hey, check out all the engineering jobs. Post your resume today!

MORE ON THIS TOPIC