The combination of bright, tunable semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) emitting in the shortwave infrared (SWIR, 1000 – 1600 nm) and InGaAs camera-equipped preclinical imagers opens the door to non-invasive, multiplexed, deep tissue imaging in live mice. We demonstrate the simultaneous imaging of three distinct QDs to highlight different regions of the mouse anatomy (lymphatic system, vasculature, liver, spleen, lungs, cerebrospinal fluid, gastrointestinal tract) through different routes of delivery. Video framerate imaging enables dynamic observation of anatomical processes in exquisite detail. By changing the surface chemistry of the different colored nanoparticles, the impact of nanoparticle surface coatings on circulation half-life can be visualized and the final biodistribution determined quantitatively. This deep tissue imaging with quantitative validation is being applied to paired agent imaging of tumor biomarkers and nanomedicine drug delivery investigations.
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