Bright, Luminescent Silicon Nanoparticles for Biological Applications

Alexandra Courtis has designed a bright, luminescent silicon nanoparticle, which can pinpoint a tumor, for instance, on the cellular level. Precise tumor imaging is not possible by current technology. The benefit of using the nanoparticles is due to their extremely small size. These nanoparticles carry a luminescent material, which will attach to a tumor, or something as small as a cancer cell. This identification will allow doctors to target, and hopefully, successfully treat the cancer. The luminescent silicon nanoparticles, which Alexandra created, are air-stable, water-soluble, and 20 to 30 times brighter than current dyes being used for bio-imaging.