Encapsulation of Inorganic Nanomaterials inside Virus-Based Nanoparticles for Bioimaging

Abstract

Virus-based nanoparticles (VNPs) can serve as containers for inorganic nanomaterials with excellent physical and chemical properties. Incorporation of nanomaterials inside the inner cavity of VNPs has opened up lots of possibilities for imaging applications in the field of biology and medicine. Encapsulation of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) in VNPs can achieve the labeling of VNPs with nanoprobes and maintain the original outer surface features of VNPs at the same time. In return, VNPs enhance the stability and biocompatibility of the inorganic cargoes. This review briefly summarizes the current typical strategies to encapsulate inorganic nanomaterials in VNPs, i.e. mineralization and self-assembly, as well as the applications of these hybrid nanostructures in the field of bioimaging, including in vitro and in vivo fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and theranostics. Nanophotonic studies based on the VNP platform are also discussed. We anticipate that this field will continue to flourish, with new exciting opportunities stemming from advancements in the rational design of VNPs, the development of excellent inorganic nanomaterials, the integration of multiple functionalities, and the regulation of nano-bio interfacial interactions.

Therapeutic Potential of Biomineralization‐Based Engineering

“…The development of biosensors still faces the problems of low sensitivity, specificity, and interference from complex biological components . Viruses are increasingly used to construct biosensors, as they can be easily conjugated or biologically engineered . In particular, the bacteriophages that can display a wide range of foreign ligands have been involved in the development of biosensors using different methods such as the colorimetric, electrochemical, immune, fluorescence, or Raman techniques .…”

Physical, chemical, and synthetic virology: Reprogramming viruses as controllable nanodevices

“…Additionally, altering the interior surface of CCMV from cationic to anionic to promote oxidative hydrolysis can lead to size-constrained iron oxide formation within the capsid (Douglas et al, 2002). Since these early reports, other viruses have also been used as containers for biomineralization of inorganic metal-based nanoparticles, as reviewed elsewhere (Bain & Staniland, 2015;W. Zhang et al, 2017).…”

Switch from Polymorphic to Homogenous Self‐Assembly of Virus‐Like Particles of Simian Virus 40 through Double‐Cysteine Substitution

“…From a material point of view, they have certain appealing features, including nanoscale size (20–200 nm), structural symmetry, good biocompatibility, three interfaces for functionalization, facile chemical and genetic modification, and green biosynthesis in engineered organisms. [ 1–3 ] Because of these valuable characteristics, VLPs have been used as nanoplatforms for the templated synthesis of nanomaterials, [ 4–6 ] the hierarchical assembly of nanostructures, [ 7–10 ] bioimaging, [ 11 ] nanoreactors, [ 12–14 ] drug carriers, [ 15 ] and vaccines. [ 16–19 ]…”