Biosciences at Molecular Levels Illuminated by Near-Infrared Optical Responses of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Nano carbons such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) reveal specific optical responses. In particular, near-infrared (NIR) absorbance and NIR photoluminescence (PL) of SWNTs are useful functions for biological applications. Because biomolecules mainly have optical responses in ultraviolet and visible areas, NIR absorbance and PL of SWNTs do not overlap in detection. The unique NIR optical responses have been widely applied to nanobiotechnology, such as nanobiosensors. However, the NIR responses are also applicable to not only nanobiotechnology but also nanobiosciences. In this chapter, various applications of NIR of SWNTs to nanobiosciences are described.