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Gold Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives
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Gold Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 3811

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Rafik Karaman

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
2. Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem 20002, Palestine
Interests: drug delivery; prodrug design; drug development; computational chemistry; Parkinson’s disease; neuronopathic disease; antibacterial resistance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Due to their unique benefits, both organic and inorganic nanoparticles have attracted a large number of scientists in recent years.

Organic nanoparticles, such as liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, and polymeric nanoparticles, show improved biocompatibility and biodegradability, primarily for medication and gene delivery purposes. Inorganic nanoparticles, such as metallic (gold, silver), metal oxide (iron oxide, titanium dioxide), and semiconductor (quantum dots) nanoparticles, are highly valued for their stability, magnetic, and optical properties.

The primary advancements in nanotechnology for biotechnological and biomedical applications will be compiled and presented in this Special Issue for biologists, doctors, and biotechnologists. Broad changes and original contributions will also be included in the Special Issue, which will present excellent examples of cutting-edge nanoparticle designs and their most creative and inventive applications in the sector.

Prof. Dr. Rafik Karaman
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • drug delivery
  • gene delivery
  • imaging and diagnostics
  • therapeutic agents
  • tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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25 pages, 3028 KB  
Article
Green Synthesis of Au-Pd Bimetallic Nanoparticles Using Aspalathin and Their Toxicity Study
by Naledi D. Seatle, Akeem O. Akinfenwa, Keenau M. Pearce, Idowu J. Sagbo, Mongi Benjeddou and Ahmed A. Hussein
Molecules 2026, 31(5), 910; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31050910 - 9 Mar 2026
Viewed by 829
Abstract
Bimetallic nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in scientific literature due to their diverse applications and unique properties. Concurrently, green synthesis methodologies have emerged as environmentally friendly alternatives, reducing the ecological footprint of nanoparticle production. In this study, the efficient synthesis of Au-Pd bimetallic [...] Read more.
Bimetallic nanoparticles have garnered significant attention in scientific literature due to their diverse applications and unique properties. Concurrently, green synthesis methodologies have emerged as environmentally friendly alternatives, reducing the ecological footprint of nanoparticle production. In this study, the efficient synthesis of Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles is presented, utilizing Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R. Dahlgren, commonly known as green rooibos (GR), and its pure bioactive compound, Aspalathin (ASP). Integrating ASP as a pure compound into the green synthesis process offers precise control over nanoparticle characteristics, including size, morphology, and composition. Interestingly, the total extract forms an Au-Pd nanoparticle alloy, while aspalathin forms core–shell nanoparticles. Furthermore, cytotoxicity testing was carried out on selected cell lines to assess their impact on cell viability. The cytotoxicity test on cell lines and cellular uptake analysis demonstrated that none of the tested samples exhibited significant cytotoxic effects. ASP-conjugated bimetallic increased the uptake of the NPs by the cells more than the total extract. The results demonstrated that the Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles hold promise for biomedical applications, owing to their enhanced biocompatibility and tailored properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives)
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Review

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22 pages, 1984 KB  
Review
Gold Nanoparticle-Based Precision Medicine Strategies for Glioblastoma: Current Biomedical Applications and Future Outlook
by Md Ataur Rahman, Maroua Jalouli, Mohammed Al-Zharani and Abdel Halim Harrath
Molecules 2026, 31(4), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31040684 - 16 Feb 2026
Viewed by 667
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor among adults and one of the deadliest human cancers. Its infiltrative growth pattern, high intratumor heterogeneity, and the existence of the blood–brain barrier severely limits current treatment approaches. Precision medicine-guided treatment decision-making based [...] Read more.
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor among adults and one of the deadliest human cancers. Its infiltrative growth pattern, high intratumor heterogeneity, and the existence of the blood–brain barrier severely limits current treatment approaches. Precision medicine-guided treatment decision-making based on unique molecular characteristics of patients’ tumors and tumor microenvironments is highly desired. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are promising nanoplatforms that enable precision medicine and personalized treatments for GBM. Their size- and shape-dependent tunable physiochemical properties, ease of surface functionalization, unique optical/electronic properties, and biocompatibility have facilitated the development of AuNP-based multimodal agents with the capability of delivering therapies, molecular imaging, and diagnosis in one platform. Recent research has shown that AuNPs can deliver chemotherapeutics, genes, and immunotherapeutics and aid in imaging, radiosensitization, and photothermal therapy for GBM therapy. Ligand-targeted and stimuli-responsive AuNPs enable site-selective targeting of GBM cells and the tumor microenvironment, allowing for personalized medicine approaches. Here, we review the progress made in biomedical applications of AuNPs for GBM treatment with a focus on precision-based drug/gene delivery, diagnosis/imaging, and therapy enhancement. We also discuss safety, biodistribution, scalability for translation, and regulatory challenges that need to be addressed for AuNP development. Future opportunities for AuNPs in personalizing GBM treatment are also highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives)
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21 pages, 1251 KB  
Review
Gold Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications: Synthesis, Functionalization, and Recent Advances
by Massa Zahdeh and Rafik Karaman
Molecules 2026, 31(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31010017 - 20 Dec 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2054
Abstract
Background: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are metallic nanoparticles with strong biomedical potential and have FDA approval. Their nanoscale size, optical tunability, and biocompatibility allow them to be used for tumor-targeted delivery, photothermal therapy, imaging contrast, radiosensitization, gene transfection, biosensing, personalized medicine and AI-supported healthcare [...] Read more.
Background: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are metallic nanoparticles with strong biomedical potential and have FDA approval. Their nanoscale size, optical tunability, and biocompatibility allow them to be used for tumor-targeted delivery, photothermal therapy, imaging contrast, radiosensitization, gene transfection, biosensing, personalized medicine and AI-supported healthcare solutions. These properties made AuNPs a game-changing tool in nanomedicine. Methods: Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect were used to search the literature with keywords related to gold nanoparticles, synthesis, functionalization and advanced applications in biomedicine. The search mainly focused on studies published between 2018–2025, and older landmark papers were only included when needed to describe classical synthesis. Results: Standard AuNP synthesis and functionalization approaches were compared with advanced methods such as green synthesis, microfluidic synthesis, polymer functionalization and AI-supported synthesis optimization. AuNPs moved from traditional drug administration and basic diagnostics into multiplex imaging, targeted therapy, hybrid theranostics, spectral CT imaging, gene delivery and CRISPR-related applications. Conclusions: This review demonstrates the evolution of AuNPs in biomedicine from traditional nanoparticles to sophisticated multifunctional nanosystems. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first assessment that explicitly contrasts sophisticated AuNP techniques with conventional procedures in biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gold Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives)
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