Fluorescent Nanodiamonds

8Cell Labeling and Fluorescence Imaging

Nanocarbons are a family consisting of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphenes, nanodiamonds, and other variations (Section 1.2). Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) joined the family in 2005 [1]. While receiving less attention than other members of the family, FNDs are gaining popularity as a novel nanoparticle platform for biomedical applications in recent years [2]. An ideal biomedical nanoparticle platform should possess three functionalities: targeting, imaging, and therapeutic [3]. Of course, the nanoparticles must be endowed with high biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity. As evident from all the discussions so far in this book, surface‐functionalized FND clearly meets all these requirements [4]. Applying the platform to biomedical studies is expected to enhance our understanding of the pathophysiological basis of disease, open up more sophisticated diagnostic opportunities, and lead to improved therapies and treatments.

In the previous chapters, we have discussed some core features of FNDs, including their superior magneto‐optical properties (Chapter 3), the ability to be functionalized with diversified bioactive groups (Chapter 4), the inherent biocompatibility (Chapter 5), as well as the high sensitivity detection at the single particle level (Chapter 7). This chapter focuses on arguably the most promising application of the FND‐based platform in biomedicine: cell labeling and imaging. The modalities to achieve the fluorescence ...