Issue 16, 2024

Comprehensive review on fluorescent carbon dots and their applications in nucleic acid detection, nucleolus targeted imaging and gene delivery

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs), including carbon quantum dots, graphene quantum dots, carbon nanodots, and polymer dots, have gained significant attention due to their unique structural and fluorescence characteristics. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the classification, structural characteristics, and fluorescence properties of CDs, followed by an exploration of various fluorescence sensing mechanisms and their applications in gene detection, nucleolus imaging, and gene delivery. Furthermore, the functionalization of CDs with diverse surface ligand molecules, including dye molecules, nucleic acid probes, and metal derivatives, for sensitive nucleic acid detection is systematically examined. Fluorescence imaging of the cell nucleolus plays a vital role in examining intracellular processes and the dynamics of subcellular structures. By analyzing the mechanism of fluorescence and structure–function relationships inherent in CDs, the nucleolus targeting abilities of CDs in various cell lines have been discussed. Additionally, challenges such as the insufficient organelle specificity of CDs and the inconsistent mechanisms underlying nucleolus targeting have also been highlighted. The unique physical and chemical properties of CDs, particularly their strong affinity toward deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), have spurred interest in gene delivery applications. The use of nuclear-targeting peptides, polymers, and ligands in conjunction with CDs for improved gene delivery applications have been systematically reviewed. Through a comprehensive analysis, the review aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the potential and challenges associated with CDs in biomedical applications.

Graphical abstract: Comprehensive review on fluorescent carbon dots and their applications in nucleic acid detection, nucleolus targeted imaging and gene delivery

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
30 เม.ย. 2567
Accepted
24 มิ.ย. 2567
First published
25 มิ.ย. 2567

Analyst, 2024,149, 4095-4115

Comprehensive review on fluorescent carbon dots and their applications in nucleic acid detection, nucleolus targeted imaging and gene delivery

A. Selva Sharma and N. Y. Lee, Analyst, 2024, 149, 4095 DOI: 10.1039/D4AN00630E

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements