Advances in biomimetic AIE nanoparticles for diagnosis and phototherapy
Joe H. C. Chau, Michelle M. S. Lee, Eric Y. Yu, Ryan T. K. Kwok, Jacky W. Y. Lam, Jianwei Sun, Ben Zhong Tang
Abstract
This minireview provides an overview of the recent advancements in the development of biomimetic Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) nanoparticles and their applications in disease diagnosis, phototherapy, and photoimmunotherapy. AIE nanoparticles can be engineered to enable efficient image-guided photodynamic and photothermal therapies, however, challenges related to immune defense and target specificity persist. To overcome these, coating biomimetic materials on the surface of AIE nanoparticles, which mimic the features and functions of native cells, have emerged as a promising solution. This minireview will highlight the synthesis strategies and discuss the biomedical application of biomimetic AIE nanoparticles.