Next-generation quantum dot fluorescent probes: Design innovations and biomedical applications

In recent years, the distinctive size and structure of quantum dot fluorescent probes have endowed them with numerous advantages, including exceptional photostability, high fluorescence quantum yield, and tunable excitation and emission wavelengths. These characteristics have garnered significant attention from researchers. As a pivotal category of photoresponsive nanomaterials, quantum dot fluorescent probes hold extensive application prospects in areas such as small molecule and metal ion detection, cell imaging, and in vivo diagnostics. They are anticipated to serve as ideal alternatives to traditional organic fluorescent dyes, attributed to their superior photostability, broader emission spectra, enhanced luminance, higher quantum yields, as well as controllable size and surface functionalization. This review paper provides an initial discussion on the potential advantages of employing quantum dots as fluorescent probes, followed by an overview of the current research advancements in this area, while highlighting the principal challenges and limitations faced in ongoing studies. Addressing these research issues, it reviews modification strategies for quantum dot fluorescent probes, including elemental doping, surface modification, and quantum dot composites, illustrating the benefits inherent in each of these design frameworks. Finally, a comprehensive summary and outlook on the future development of quantum dot fluorescent probes within the biomedical field are presented.