量子点是具有特殊光学特性的半导体纳米晶体，其基于理化性质的安全性是决定量子点能够应用到生物医学领域的关键问题。前期研究发现肝脏是量子点主要蓄积部位和靶器官，量子点引起肝脏氧化应激，但其致肝损伤的机制尚不清楚，且量子点理化性质与肝损伤之间关系的研究也知之甚少。本项目基于前期研究结果，结合多学科技术与研究手段系统探讨内质网应激与线粒体代谢功能障碍在量子点致肝损伤中的作用，探索其调控肝损伤信号通路的关键分子及标志物，阐释量子点的理化性质对肝损伤的作用程度及其相应损伤机制。通过深入研究量子点致肝毒性作用及其调控机制，阐明量子点理化性质与肝损伤之间的关系，为量子点的生物安全性提供重要参考依据，以此为拓展设计安全的量子点应用于生物医学领域。

Quantum dots (QDs), semiconductor nanoparticles with unique photo-physical properties, have become one of the dominant classes of imaging probes as well as universal platforms for engineering of multifunctional nanodevices. The toxicity of QDs depend on inherent physicochemical properties, which is the key issue of biomedical area. Previous studies indicated that the liver was to be a major accumulation site and target organ for circulatory QDs, and the hepatotoxicity of QDs induced by oxidative stress. Currently, the knowledge of the relationship between hepatotoxicity and physicochemical properties of QDs is limited. Also, the underlying mechanism and signal pathways have not been revealed yet. In this project, we will study the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in QDs-induced hepatotoxicity and related molecular mechanism, find the early biomarkers，and estimate how physicochemical properties of QDs influence on hepatotoxicity using state-of-art techniques in chemistry, cellular biology, molecular biology and imaging. This project will help us understand the bio-safety of QDs and design safe QDs to be used in biomedicine area.