Gold　(Au)　nanoclusters　with　diameters　less　than　2　nm　are　attracting　increasing　attention　due　to　their　unique　size-dependent　physicochemical　properties　which　include　strong　luminescence　and　excellent　biocompatibility.　Accordingly,　Au　nanoclusters　are　now　becoming　essential　in　biomedical　research　for　bioimaging,　biosensing,　quantitative　analysis　of　protein　and　ion　detection.　In　this　mini　review,　the　luminescence　mechanism　and　biosynthesis　of　Au　nanoclusters　is　systematically　explored,　followed　by　a　brief　survey　of　Au　nanoclusters　applications　across　the　biomedical　sector.　Particular　emphasis　is　placed　on　the　role　of　biological　molecules　such　as　proteins,　peptides　and　low　molecular　weight　organic　compounds　in　the　synthesis　of　small　luminescent　Au　nanoclusters,　either　as　templates　or　surface　capping　agents.　Successful　strategies　for　applying　luminescent　Au　nanoclusters　in　bioimaging　and　biosensing　are　also　summarized.　Future　areas　for　Au　nanocluster　utilization　in　biomedical　research　are　briefly　discussed.