Handbook of Biomedical Optics

Nanoparticles for Targeted Therapeutics and Diagnostics 717

32.4 Summary

Initial research into the use of nanoparticles in biomedical

applications has focused on the basics of nanoparticle synthe-

sis, characterization of optical properties, and the conjuga-

tion of biomolecules to the particle surface. ese results have

enabled studies, primarily of an exploratory nature, of nanopar-

ticle-enabled imaging and therapy in biologically relevant tis-

sue models, ranging from tissue phantoms and cell cultures all

the way to in vivo animal models. As synthesis and conjugation

abilities have improved, more complex questions related to ...