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Advanced Research of Metallic Nanoparticles

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Nanoscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2025 | Viewed by 6375

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Foundry Engineering, AGH University of Krakow, 23 Reymonta Str., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Interests: material characterization; nanomaterials; physical chemistry; biochemistry; molecular spectroscopy; surface analysis; adsorption
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been known about since ancient times, when they were used for decoration. To date, the fascination with them has not diminished, and there is a growing interest in their application for the creation and design of extremely sensitive and specific biochemical nanosensors (e.g., glucose, phenol, H2O2, cholesterol, urea, lactic acid, DNA, proteins, breast cancer markers, etc.), additives for bone scaffolds, protective coatings for implants (laryngology, cardiology, orthopedics, or stomatology), drug and gene carriers, nano-adjuvants, biomedical imaging, and some chemical/physical properties (e.g., pH). MNPs also find various applications in catalysis, optics, electronics, food processing, cosmetics, high-density information storage, energy conversion, and construction (e.g., roofs, ceilings), among others. This wide application is due to the properties of MNPs, including their large surface area and versatile surface chemistry, controlled toxicity, good biocompatibility and biodegradability, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and ease of application.

By suitably selecting the nanostructure and composition of MNPs, it is possible to obtain not only biocompatible nanoparticles, but also nanoparticles that exhibit selective biological/chemical activities with respect to the selected compounds that interact (via adsorption and desorption processes) with a surface of interest (reaction at the solid–liquid(gas) interface). The interactions among biological, organic, and inorganic molecules and a metal surface are a central topic in biotechnology and biochemistry. Since biotechnological research relates to processes at the molecular and cellular level, the structure and properties of the interface must be designed and controlled at this level. Therefore, the metal interface is often used in the form of metallic nanoparticles obtained under controlled conditions in an aqueous medium via chemical, electrochemical, and laser ablation methods, as well as by the sol–gel method, the hydrothermal method, co-precipitation, microwave-assisted synthesis, or the “green chemistry” method using prokaryotic bacteria or eukaryotic fungi and plants.

The nanoscale properties of the interface between the biological and physical systems are a common theme in many different devices. Therefore, there has been a constant search for MNPs with improved properties, constant research on the development of their ecological, low-cost and efficient synthesis methods, and numerous studies on novel application areas or attempts to understand the relationship between their structure and properties. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide insights into recent advances in the above research areas, focusing on the advantages, limitations, and future directions of the application of metallic nanoparticles in molecular biology and molecular medicine. Researchers are invited to share their ideas and findings on these exciting topics. Original research papers and review articles are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Edyta Proniewicz
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • metallic nanoparticles (MNPs)
  • biosensors
  • synthesis methods
  • molecular spectroscopy characteristic
  • molecular medicine
  • molecular biology

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 8655 KiB  
Article
Pt-Au Nanoparticles in Combination with Near-Infrared-Based Hyperthermia Increase the Temperature and Impact on the Viability and Immune Phenotype of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
by Marzena Szwed, Tina Jost, Emilia Majka, Nasrin Abbasi Gharibkandi, Agnieszka Majkowska-Pilip, Benjamin Frey, Aleksander Bilewicz, Rainer Fietkau, Udo Gaipl, Agnieszka Marczak and Dorota Lubgan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(4), 1574; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26041574 - 13 Feb 2025
Viewed by 2651
Abstract
Near-infrared light (NIR)-responsive metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) could be used for tumour therapy. We examined how platinum (Pt), gold (Au), and core-shell Pt-Au NPs affect the viability of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (Hep3B, HepG2, and Huh7D-12) alone and in combination with NIR [...] Read more.
Near-infrared light (NIR)-responsive metal-based nanoparticles (NPs) could be used for tumour therapy. We examined how platinum (Pt), gold (Au), and core-shell Pt-Au NPs affect the viability of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (Hep3B, HepG2, and Huh7D-12) alone and in combination with NIR exposure. In addition, the expression of immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs) on the tumour cells was analysed. We revealed that the cytotoxicity and programmed cell death induction of Au and Pt-Au NPs toward HCC cells could be enhanced by NIR with 960 nm in a different way. Pt-Au NPs were the only particles that resulted in an additional temperature increase of up to 2 °C after NIR. Regarding the tumour cell immune phenotype, not all of the cells experienced changes in immune phenotype. NIR itself was the trigger of the alterations, while the NPs did not significantly affect the expression of most of the examined ICMs, such as PD-L1, PD-L1, HVEM, CD70, ICOS-L, Ox40-L, and TNFRSF9. The combination of Pt-Au NPs with NIR resulted in the most prominent increase of ICMs in HepG2 cells. We conclude that the thermotherapeutic effect of Pt-Au NP application and NIR could be beneficial in multimodal therapy settings in liver cancer for selected patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research of Metallic Nanoparticles)
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15 pages, 5873 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial and Photocatalytic Applications of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus
by Roberto Lavecchia, Janet B. García-Martínez, Jefferson E. Contreras-Ropero, Andrés F. Barajas-Solano and Antonio Zuorro
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11809; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111809 - 3 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1267
Abstract
The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) presents an innovative and sustainable approach in nanotechnology with promising applications in fields such as medicine, food safety, and pharmacology. In this study, AgNPs were successfully synthesized using the probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (BCRC16000), addressing challenges related [...] Read more.
The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) presents an innovative and sustainable approach in nanotechnology with promising applications in fields such as medicine, food safety, and pharmacology. In this study, AgNPs were successfully synthesized using the probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (BCRC16000), addressing challenges related to stability, biocompatibility, and scalability that are common in conventional nanoparticle production methods. The formation of AgNPs was indicated by a color change from yellow to brown, and UV–visible spectrophotometry confirmed their presence with a characteristic absorption peak at 443 nm. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed the involvement of biomolecules in reducing silver ions, which suggests their role in stabilizing the nanoparticles. In addition, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed significant morphological and structural changes. At the same time, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential analyses provided valuable insights such as average size (199.7 nm), distribution, and stability, reporting a polydispersity index of 0.239 and a surface charge of −36.3 mV. Notably, the AgNPs demonstrated strong antibacterial activity and photocatalytic efficiency, underscoring their potential for environmental and biomedical applications. Therefore, this study highlights the effectiveness of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus in the biosynthesis of AgNPs, offering valuable antibacterial and photocatalytic properties with significant industrial and scientific implications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research of Metallic Nanoparticles)
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19 pages, 4067 KiB  
Article
Gold and Silver Nanoparticles as Biosensors: Characterization of Surface and Changes in the Adsorption of Leucine Dipeptide under the Influence of Substituent Changes
by Edyta Proniewicz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3720; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073720 - 27 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1765
Abstract
Early detection of diseases can increase the chances of successful treatment and survival. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method for detecting or sensing biomolecules that cause trouble in living organisms. Disease sensors should possess specific properties, such as selectivity, reproducibility, stability, [...] Read more.
Early detection of diseases can increase the chances of successful treatment and survival. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method for detecting or sensing biomolecules that cause trouble in living organisms. Disease sensors should possess specific properties, such as selectivity, reproducibility, stability, sensitivity, and morphology, for their routine application in medical diagnosis and treatment. This work focuses on biosensors in the form of surface-functionalized gold (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared using a less-time-consuming, inexpensive, and efficient synthesis route. This allows for the production of highly pure and stable (non-aggregating without stabilizers) nanoparticles with a well-defined spherical shape, a desired diameter, and a monodisperse distribution in an aqueous environment, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Thus, these nanoparticles can be used routinely as biomarker sensors and drug-delivery platforms for precision medicine treatment. The NPs’ surface was coated with phosphonate dipeptides of L-leucine (Leu; l-Leu–C(R1)(R2)PO3H2), and their adsorption was monitored using SERS. Reproducible spectra were analyzed to determine the orientation of the dipeptides (coating layers) on the nanoparticles’ surface. The appropriate R2 side chain of the dipeptide can be selected to control the arrangement of these dipeptides. This allows for the proper formation of a layer covering the nanoparticles while also simultaneously interacting with the surrounding biological environment, such as cells, tissues, and biological fluids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research of Metallic Nanoparticles)
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