Core-shell rare-earth-doped nanostructures in biomedicine

The current status of the use of core-shell rare-earth-doped nanoparticles in biomedical applications is reviewed in detail. The different core-shell rare-earth-doped nanoparticles developed so far are described and the most relevant examples of their application in imaging, sensing, and therapy are summarized. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages they present are discussed. Finally, a critical opinion of their potential application in real life biomedicine is givenThis work has been partially supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España (MINECO) (MAT2016-75362-C3-1-R), by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI16/ 00812), by the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (B2017/ BMD-3867RENIM-CM), by the European Comission (NanoTBTech), and co-financed by European Structural and Investment Fund. This work has also been partially supported by COST action CM1403. L. L. P. thanks the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid for the “Formación de personal investi-gador (FPI-UAM)” program. P. R. S. thanks MINECO and the Fondo Social Europeo (FSE) for the “Promoción del talento y su Empleabilidad en I+D+i” statal program (BES-2014-069410). D. H. O. is grateful to the Instituto de Salud Carlos III for a Sara Borrell Fellowship (CD17/00210