“…Several compounds have been assayed for such a purpose, among which rare earth vanadate (REVO 4 )-based nanophosphors composed by a REVO 4 matrix in which different luminescent lanthanide (Ln) cations are introduced as dopants, have been recently the focus of much attention. In particular, Ln-doped REVO 4 (RE = Y, La, Gd; Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Nd, Yb), have been proposed as excellent probes for luminescent "in vitro" bioimaging and biosensing [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10], owing to their intense luminescence on excitation by UV light through an energy transfer process from the vanadate matrix to the Ln 3+ cations [11]. However, the need for UV excitation is a drawback for in vivo bioapplications because of the potential damage that such radiation may cause to living organisms.…”