Fluorescent Silicon-based Nanomaterials Imaging Technology in Diseases

Fluorescence imaging analysis of microscale dynamic process (e.g., metabolism, mitosis, endocytosis, exocytosis, etc.) is of particular significance to study the related pathogenesis and design the intracellular drug delivery systems. Owing to unique physical, chemical and/or biological properties, silicon(Si)-based nanomaterials have been employed to design and construct diffe-rent types of nanoprobes for the imaging analysis of diseases. Thus, we herein present an overview of recent advances in fluorescent silicon nanomaterials imaging technology for analyzing and diagno-sing diseases. Firstly, we mainly introduce the construction of Si nanomaterials-based bioprobes for long-term fluorescence imaging analysis of cancer-related biological information, such as tumour cells, biomarkers and nanocarriers. Afterwards, we focus on the Si nanomaterials-based imaging technology for monitoring the dynamic process of pathological changes of various ocular diseases (e.g., ocular angiogenesis, bacterial keratitis, etc.). Then, we outline the construction of Si-based nanoprobes and their applications in simultaneously imaging and treating the bacteria-induced diseases caused by broad-spectrum bacteria-related pathogens. Finally, we further discuss the major challenges and prospects for developing silicon-based fluorescence imaging technology.