The method for preparing theragnostic carbon quantum dot nanomedicine composition comprises collecting and processing fresh plant samples of Azadirachta indica; mixing 50 g of crushed dried neem leaves powder with 500 mL of methanol and left to extract for 1 week; filtering the mixture and condensing using a rotary evaporator, and lyophilizing to obtain the extract; dissolving 0.57 g L-cysteine in 10 mL of deionized water and mixing with 1.5 g of citric acid to form a solution; ultrasonicating the solution for 10 minutes and then heating in a microwave oven for 4 minutes; cooling the solution to room temperature and then dissolving in 10 mL of deionized water to obtain a brown solution; centrifuging the brown solution at 9000 rpm for 10 minutes to remove impurities and filtering with a filter; and extracting the Carbon quantum dot (CQD) solution with ethyl acetate and storing in a refrigerator at 4? C.

The present invention relates to ligands, nanocrystal complexed with said ligands and their use for bio-imaging.

A series of multicoordinating and multifunctional ligands optimized for the surface-functionalization of luminescent quantum dots (QDs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) alike is disclosed. An L-aspartic acid precursor is modified with functionality, through simple peptide coupling chemistry, one or two lipoic acid (LA) groups and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) moieties in the same ligand. These ligands were combined with a new photoligation strategy to yield hydrophilic and reactive QDs that are colloidally stable over a broad range of conditions, including storage at nanomolar concentration and under ambient conditions.

Polymers, monomers, chromophoric polymer dots and related methods are provided. Highly fluorescent chromophoric polymer dots with narrow-band emissions are provided. Methods for synthesizing the chromophoric polymers, preparation methods for forming the chromophoric polymer dots, and biological applications using the unique properties of narrow-band emissions are also provided.

The invention provides novel biocompatible upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) that comprises a core of cubic nanocrystals (e.g., comprising -Na Ln.sub.a, Ln.sub.b Ln.sub.c F.sub.4) and an epitaxial shell (e.g., formed from CaF.sub.2; wherein Ln.sub.b is Yb), and related methods of preparation and uses thereof.

Provided is a composition which can be utilized for drug delivery systems that can penetrate the blood brain barrier, and has low cytotoxicity. A nanoparticle composition comprises nanoparticles to the surface of which a first substance and a second substance each having specificity to a tumor cell are bound, wherein the first substance having specificity to the tumor cell is a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid, and wherein the second substance having specificity to the tumor cell is an iron-binding protein, and wherein the nanoparticles each comprise an outer layer and vesicles enveloped by the outer layer and the nanoparticles each comprise, as membrane components, a PEGylated phospholipid, a fatty acid with a melting point of 30 C. or more, and a non-PEGylated phospholipid.

Described herein is a multiplex platform that uses ultrasmall nanoparticles (e.g., C dots and C dots) to graphically differentiate specific nerves (e.g., sensory nerves vs. motor nerves) for nerve transplants and other surgeries. Also described herein is a multiplex platform that uses ultrasmall nanoparticles (e.g., C dots and C dots) to graphically differentiate between different types of lymph nodes and/or lymphatic pathways, e.g., to safely and effectively perform vascularized lymph node transplantation in the treatment of lymphedema. Also described herein is a multiplex platform that uses ultrasmall nanoparticles (e.g., C dots and C dots) to graphically differentiate parathyroid tissue.

Provided are compositions and methods for promoting tolerance to auto-immune antigens. In general the compositions include quantum dots (QDs) that are in association with auto-immune peptide antigens. It is shown that QDs can be used to generate immunological tolerance by controlling the density of self-antigen on QDs. Peptide-QDs rapidly concentrate in draining lymph nodes, and co-localize with macrophages expressing scavenger receptors involved intolerance. Treatment with peptide-QDs reduces disease incidence 10-fold. The degree of tolerance and the underlying expansion of regulatory T cells correlates with the density of myelin molecules presented on QDs such that higher numbers of tolerogenic particles displaying lower levels of self-peptide are more effective for inducing tolerance than fewer particles each displaying higher densities of peptide. The disclosure is therefore relevant to promoting tolerance to antigens that are involved in a variety of autoimmune disorders.

The present invention relates to ligands, nanocrystal complexed with the ligands and their use for bio-imaging.

Luminescent particles with a maximum diameter of less than 100 ?m are produced by stirring an emulsion material, including a host material, an organic luminescent material containing no heavy metal element, a surfactant and water, under conditions that melt the host material, thereby forming an emulsion, and then cooling the emulsion. This method can provide luminescent particles which are highly safe and which exhibit high luminous efficiency in water.