Gold nanoparticles in biomedical applications: recent advances and perspectives

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with controlled geometrical, optical, and surface chemical properties are the subject of intensive studies and applications in biology and medicine. To date, the ever increasing diversity of published examples has included genomics and biosensorics, immunoassays and clinical chemistry, photothermolysis of cancer cells and tumors, targeted delivery of drugs and antigens, and optical bioimaging of cells and tissues with state-of-the-art nanophotonic detection systems. This critical review is focused on the application of GNP conjugates to biomedical diagnostics and analytics, photothermal and photodynamic therapies, and delivery of target molecules. Distinct from other published reviews, we present a summary of the immunological properties of GNPs. For each of the above topics, the basic principles, recent advances, and current challenges are discussed (508 references).

Synthesis of gold nanoparticles using renewable Punica granatum juice and study of its catalytic activity

“…During the past two decades an enormous effort has been invested in the investigations of AuNPs because of its applications in catalysis (Zhang et al 2012), biotechnology (Murphy et al 2008), drug delivery, biodiagnostics (Dykman and Khlebtsov 2012;Beeram and Zamborini 2010;Saha et al 2012), etc. AuNPs exhibit different colors depending upon their size, shape and degree of aggregation.…”

Preliminary protein corona formation stabilizes gold nanoparticles and improves deposition efficiency

“…For example, research is underway to develop AuNP-based procedures for drug and gene delivery, bioimaging techniques, sensor systems, cancer therapeutics, and vaccine development (Dykman and Khlebtsov 2012;Stacy et al 2013). AuNPs are viewed as advantageous over other materials for a multitude of reasons, including a general biocompatibility, standardized synthesis protocols, ease of functionalization, and distinctive plasmonic properties (Yeh et al 2012).…”

Nanoparticle-cored dendrimers: functional hybrid nanocomposites as a new platform for drug delivery systems

“…83 In particular, positively charged AuNPs are of interest in terms of cellular uptake. 84 These properties from their cationic nature induce electrostatic interactions with negatively charged entities such as cell membranes, plasmid DNA, siRNA, or antibodies. 85 While clinically-approved nanoparticles have consistently shown value in reducing drug toxicity, their use has not always been translated into improved clinical outcomes.…”