Recent progress in quantum dots for antimicrobial therapy and bioimaging: A comprehensive review (2018 to mid-2025)

Quantum dots (QDs) are nanoscale semiconductor materials that exhibit unique optical, electronic, and physicochemical properties, including size-tunable fluorescence, high photostability, and surface functionalization potential. These characteristics have positioned QDs as versatile nanomaterials for diverse biomedical applications. In recent years, a growing body of research has highlighted their promising role in antimicrobial therapy. QDs can exert direct bactericidal and fungicidal effects through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and disruption of microbial membranes. Furthermore, surface modification strategies have enhanced their selectivity, biocompatibility, and therapeutic efficacy against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Parallel to their therapeutic role, QDs have emerged as powerful tools in bioimaging owing to their superior brightness, long-term stability, and multiplexing ability compared to conventional dyes. They have been widely employed for cellular tracking, tissue imaging, and real-time monitoring of therapeutic responses, with several studies demonstrating their applicability in both in vitro and in vivo models. This review comprehensively discusses the recent progress in QDs research, emphasizing their dual application in antimicrobial therapy and bioimaging. The aim is to critically analyze advancements, challenges, and future prospects in this field, with particular attention to biocompatibility, toxicity mitigation, and translational potential toward clinical applications. • This review highlights biomedical applications of QDs. • Focuses on dual applications of QDs in antimicrobial therapy and bioimaging. • Discusses fundamental properties and strategies enhancing QD antimicrobial efficacy. • Highlights innovations in fluorescence imaging QDs platforms.