Gold Nanoparticles in Biology and Medicine: Recent Advances and Prospects

Abstract

Functionalized gold nanoparticles with controlled geometrical and optical properties are the subject of intensive studies and biomedical applications, including genomics, biosensorics, immunoassays, clinical chemistry, laser phototherapy of cancer cells and tumors, the targeted delivery of drugs, DNA and antigens, optical bioimaging and the monitoring of cells and tissues with the use of state-of-the-art detection systems. This work will provide an overview of the recent advances and current challenges facing the biomedical application of gold nanoparticles of various sizes, shapes, and structures. The review is focused on the application of gold nanoparticle conjugates in biomedical diagnostics and analytics, photothermal and photodynamic therapies, as a carrier for delivering target molecules, and on the immunological and toxicological properties. Keeping in mind the huge volume and high speed of the data update rate, 2/3 of our reference list (certainly restricted to 250 Refs.) includes publications encompassing the past 5 years.

Proof-of-Concept Study of Multifunctional Hybrid Nanoparticle System Combined with NIR Laser Irradiation for the Treatment of Melanoma

“…The GNPs reach their maximum absorption upon laser irradiation with a specific wavelength, promoting local hyperthermia of the tissues. It is described that this local effect can lead to an irreversible cell damage caused by the disruption of cell membrane permeability and protein denaturation [8,9]. Nonetheless, studies on the molecular mechanism behind the antitumoral effect of these multifunctional hybrid nanoparticles are still under way.…”

“…In this segment, photothermal therapy (PTT) emerges as a highly promising strategy, once it implies minimal invasion in comparison to other currently available therapies, presents a safe profile, and allows a faster patient recovery [7]. Briefly, PTT is a precise spatial-temporal technique causing local hyperthermia with tissues temperature ranging from 41 to 47 • C [8,9] in tumor cells after irradiation with light beams [10,11]. This therapy is mostly studied for treatment of superficial tumors due to the light limited ability of deeply penetrating into the tissues.…”

Surface-Modified Noble Metal Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents: Biochemical, Molecular and Therapeutic Perspectives

“…The use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are highly advantageous in diagnosis (e.g., microscopy) and treatment of human diseases including microbial infection due to its ability to scatter light in visible light regions and relative nontoxic nature (Khan et al 2014). Besides that, potency to detoxify pollutants along with uses in formulation of biosensors and disease markers makes it more precious (Dykman and Khlebtsov 2011;Lopez et al 2004). Antimicrobial activity of the gold complexes is a century-old discovery (Glišić and Djuran 2014).…”

Recent Trends in Noble Metal Nanoparticles for Colorimetric Chemical Sensing and Micro-Electronic Packaging Applications

“…In addition, in the ancient Chinese era, gold and its complexes were used for medicines. Moreover, Europeans, also used colloidal gold in medieval period particularly by chemist/alchemist in laboratories for the treatment of many infectious diseases and even recommended to provide long life [18]. The unique term nanotechnology was specified by Noble Laureate Dr. R. Feynman on his visionary lecture entitled "There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom" at the meeting of American Physical Society, at California Institute of Technology, USA in December 1959 [19].…”