Quantum Dots: From Diagnostic to Therapy

Call for Papers

Current advances in nanotechnology have started to influence the biological sciences by the development of nanomedicine, which includes applications of nanomaterials for sensing, diagnostic, drug delivery, and therapy. Among these materials, metallic and semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have a tremendous potential due to their excellent optical properties, small size, and flexible surface chemistry. Biomedical uses of QDs could include sensitive diagnostic tests, image-guided surgery, and light-activated therapies. However, knowledge regarding the cellular uptake mechanisms of QDs and their related toxicity to cells is not well understood.

Scientists in the field of toxicology are expected to identify beneficial and side effects, mainly oxidative stress, resulting from the use of QDs in various biological applications. This special issue should provide to our readers an overview of the latest topics in the fields of QDs surface engineering for sensing, labelling, imaging, and bioimaging applications. The related nanotoxicology studies should contribute to a mechanistic understanding of QDs-induced toxicity for appropriate use and disposal of nanotechnology-enhanced products. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Synthesis of biocompatible quantum dots
• Physicochemical properties of quantum dots
• Quantum dots for detection and remediation
• Targeting cells and bioimaging applications of quantum dots
• Quantum dots for cancer therapy
• Quantum dots cytotoxicity and the role of oxidative stress
• Safety concerns of quantum dots

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnm/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/jnm/qddt/ according to the following timetable:

Lead Guest Editor

• Raphael Schneider, Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés (UPR 3349), Université de Lorraine and CNRS, 1 rue Grandville, BP 20451, 54001 Nancy Cedex, France

Guest Editors

• Lavinia Balan, Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse, LRC 7228, 15 rue Jean Starcky, 68093 Mulhouse, France
• Sebastian Mackowski, Optics of Hybrid Nanostructures Group, Institute of Physics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Grudziadzka 5/7, 87-100 Torun, Poland
• Christophe Merlin, Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement (UMR 7564), Université de Lorraine and CNRS, 15 avenue du Charmois, 54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France