Polymer encapsulated conjugated polymer nanoparticles for fluorescence bioimaging

Abstract

The recent advances of in vitro and in vivo bioimaging require novel classes of fluorescent probes with high fluorescence, good photostability and low cytotoxicity. Conjugated polymer based fluorescent nanoparticles as an alternative to conventional fluorescent probes have attracted wide attention in bioimaging due to their intrinsic merits. This feature article reviews the recent development of polymer encapsulated conjugated polymer nanoparticles in bioimaging applications. Through emulsion or nanoprecipitation, polymeric nanoparticles with desired optical properties and surface functional groups are obtained to meet specific requirements of various imaging tasks. Fine-tuning of the conjugated polymer structure and polymeric encapsulation matrix will lead to advanced fluorescent probes for in vitro and in vivo bioimaging applications. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012.