In current research, our team has synthesised a surface-modified water-phase gold nanoclusters, red-shifted to 900-1300nm and the emission peak is centered at ~915 nm. The emission intensity as well as tissue penetration is enhanced and the core size of the nanomaterial after surface modification is maintained at ~2 nm. It has several advantages: a wider light emission range, anti-protein adsorption, and biocompatibility. Moreover, the size regulation and metabolism will enable faster excretion from the body. In the future prospects, there is a intraoperative target-specific core substrate, with a functionalized surface chemistry, which is capable in locating the destination site of the cancer/ or lesion, which could provide an extended bio-imaging of the tissues to surgeons. The development of these type of unique medical imaging agents have been continued to progress.

The gold nanoclusters are synthesised by modifying in the hydrophilic to accomplish short-wave infrared (SWIR) range from near infrared range in the light-emitting position. It could become one of the new generation fluorescent nanomaterials, which is suited with non-toxic water-phase processing and biocompatibility. It is a pleasing core nanomaterial as compared with the current clinical usage of ICG, in addition to the stable structure and longer fluorescent imaging clarity and longer blood circulation time. It has the close proximity to the clinically used fluorescent contrast nano-agents.

The hydrophilic fluorescent gold nanoclusters developed by the research team grasp the advantages in size variations and the characteristics of the light emitting position, and also give fluorescent gold and SWIR light imaging opportunities to create unprecedented biomedical imaging opportunities. Inclusive of non-contact life signal monitoring, microvascular flow imaging map, real-time metabolic imaging observation, molecular target imaging, etc., all prove that shortwave infrared has shown its potential in the new generation of biomedical imaging and will play a key role in the future.

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