摘要

Quantum dots (QDs), as a novel outstanding fluorescent nano-materials, have been widely used in biological analysis and biomedical diagnosis, and have achieved a series of important research progress in the past ten years. In this paper, we review current approaches to the synthesis and functionalization of QDs, and their applications in pathogen detection, bio-chips, bio-molecular interactions, biosensors, cell imaging, gene silence, targeted drug delivery, photodynamic therapy and botanical research. Meanwhile, the prospects and research directions of QDs are given.