Biosensors and Bioimaging

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the synthesis of transition metal-containing dendrimers and their biosensing and bioimaging applications as part of medical diagnostic procedures. This class of dendrimers has been utilized to investigate biological and pathological processes in human and animal systems. The three-dimensional architectures, solubility, lower toxicity and transition metal redox behaviour, as well as the optical and magnetic resonance properties, of this class of dendrimers make them excellent candidates for biosensing and bioimaging applications. These applications include using these dendrimers as contrast agents for various bioimaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and photoacoustic imaging (PA), with higher sensitivity and lower toxicity compared to existing small molecule contrasts. These metal-containing nanomaterials can also play a dual role as diagnostic agents in biosensor or bioimaging applications while exerting anticancer and antibacterial therapeutic effects. Metal-containing dendrimers may therefore be used in the field of imaging-guided therapeutic applications or theranostics (a combination of diagnostic techniques and therapeutic interventions). In addition to these transition metal-containing dendrimers, dendrimers containing the inner transition metal gadolinium are also described for their use as MRI contrasts.