Nonlinear Optical Properties of ZnO for BioimagingCell and Cell Destruction

As of recent years nanotechnology has been at the forefront of scientific research. It promises to have a broad range of applications from turning unhealthy foods into health foods, making computers faster and curing cancer. We present results on using nonlinear optical processes of ZnO nano-crystals to detect, track and destroy cells. By incorporating ZnO into a hydrophobic nano-hydrogel matrix with trace amounts of H$_{2}$O$_{2}$, we can attach antibodies or microRNA for specific cell targeting and, using the heat generating properties of the third order nonlinear process, release H$_{2}$O$_{2}$ in the cell causing instant cell death. Theoretically, with the appropriate sequence for microRNA or the appropriate antibodies, we could target cancer cells in the body and destroy them. This presentation gives our results until now.