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Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications

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A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Biology and Medicines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2021) | Viewed by 44698

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Dr. Magdalena Oćwieja

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Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Niezapominajek 8, PL-30239 Krakow, Poland
Interests: synthesis and utility of metal nanoparticles; tuning of nanoparticle surface properties; application of metal nanoparticles in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy; toxicity of nanoparticles; oxidative dissolution of silver nanoparticles; formation and stability of layered nanomaterials; self-assembly of nanoparticles at solid/liquid interfaces
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Dear Colleagues,

Among numerous types of nanoparticles, which are widely applied in diverse fields of science and industry, gold nanoparticles attract a special attentions because of unique electrical, optical, catalytic and biological properties. Gold nanoparticles, due to their low toxicity and potential biocompability, are especially desirable in medicine for transporting and unloading of drugs and pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, gold nanoclusters exhibiting high fluorescence are particularly useful in biological imaging and cancer diagnostics. Assemblies of gold nanoparticles formed on solid surfaces are constructed for development of new types or electrochemical, plasmonic and piezoelectric sensors.

There is no doubt that studies on gold nanoparticles are multidisciplinary and involves many complex phenomena and processes.

This Special Issue of Nanomaterials aims to publish original high-quality research papers covering the most recent advances as well as comprehensive reviews addressing state-of-the-art topics in the field of gold nanoparticle preparation, functionalization and application.

Topics to be covered by this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

Design and synthesis of gold nanoparticles of controlled morphology, surface charge and structure of stabilizing layer
Biofunctionalization of gold nanoparticles for biological and medical applications
New methods of determination of electrokinetic properties and chemical structure of stabilizing layers of functionalized gold nanoparticles
New experimental methods and approaches for determination of reactions and processes occurring on gold nanoparticles dispersed in aqueous and organic media during catalytic reactions
Experimental and theoretical analysis of ligand exchange reactions occurring on gold nanoparticle surfaces
Influence of stabilizing agent chemical structure on physicochemical properties and biological activity of gold nanoparticles
Influence of surface properties of gold nanoparticles on their uptake and accumulation in normal and tumor cells
Functionalized gold nanoparticles as building blocks for layered materials
Utility of functionalized gold nanoparticles in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and electrochemical processes
Development of multifunctional sensors and drug delivery systems based on gold nanoclusters and nanoparticles
New innovative areas of gold nanoparticle applications
Critical assessments and future directions in research based on the use of gold nanoparticles

In advance, I would like to gratefully acknowledge the authors and reviewers who will participate to the elaboration of this Special Issue and that will contribute to the development of research based on the use of gold nanoparticles.

Dr. Magdalena Oćwieja
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1859 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simple Determination of Gold Nanocrystal Dimensions by Analytical Ultracentrifugation via Surface Ligand-Solvent Density Matching

by Guillermo González-Rubio, Holger Hilbert, Rose Rosenberg, Bing Ni, Lisa Fuhrer and Helmut Cölfen

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(6), 1427; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11061427 - 28 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2761

Abstract

Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) is a powerful technique to observe colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) directly in solution and obtain critical information about their physical-chemical properties. Nevertheless, a more comprehensive implementation of AUC for the characterisation of such a class of crystalline colloids has been traditionally impaired by the requirement of having a priori knowledge of the complex, multilayered structure formed by NC in solution. This includes the nature (density and mass) of the surface ligands (SLs) that provide NC colloidal stability and the shell of solvent molecules formed on it. Herein, we propose a methodology to determine the NCs size by using SLs with a density equal to that of the solvent. Thereby, the buoyancy force of the SL shell is neutral, and the density of the NCs is sufficient a priori knowledge to calculate their related mass and size distributions. The simplicity and reliability of the method are evaluated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) stabilized spherical gold NCs (AuNCs) of dimensions ranging from 1 to 17 nm. The proposed method has great potential to be transferred to any non-crystalline and crystalline colloids of different nature and composition, which have a density that is equal to the bulk and can be stabilized by SLs having a density that matches that of the solvent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications)

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9 pages, 2451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Gold Nanoparticle Micropatterns for the Electrical Detection of Proteins

by Geonwoo Lim, Kibeom Kim, Yuri Park and Myoung-Hwan Park

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 528; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11020528 - 19 Feb 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2774

Abstract

Protein analysis can be used to efficiently detect the early stages of various diseases. However, conventional protein detection platforms require expensive or complex equipment, which has been a major obstacle to their widespread application. In addition, uncertain signals from non-specific adhesion interfere with the precise interpretation of the results. To overcome these problems, the development of a technique that can detect the proteins in a simple method is needed. In this study, a platform composed of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) was fabricated through a simple imprinting method for protein detection. The corrugated surface naturally formed by the nanoparticle assemblies simultaneously increases the efficiency of adhesion and binding with analytes and reduces undesired interactions. After forming the GNP micropatterns, post-functionalization with both cationic and neutral ligands was performed on the surface to manipulate their electrostatic interaction with proteins. Upon protein binding, the change in the electrical values of the micropatterns was recorded by using a resistance meter. The resistance of the positively charged micropatterns was found to increase due to the electrostatic interaction with proteins, while no significant change in resistance was observed for the neutral micropatterns after immersion in a protein solution. Additionally, the selective adsorption of fluorescent proteins onto the micropatterns was captured using confocal microscopy. These simply imprinted GNP micropatterns are sensitive platforms that can detect various analytes by measuring the electrical resistance with portable equipment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications)

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20 pages, 2772 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Paper-Based In-Situ Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis for Colorimetric, Non-Enzymatic Glucose Level Determination

by Tomás Pinheiro, João Ferrão, Ana C. Marques, Maria J. Oliveira, Nitin M. Batra, Pedro M. F. J. Costa, M. Paula Macedo, Hugo Águas, Rodrigo Martins and Elvira Fortunato

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(10), 2027; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10102027 - 14 Oct 2020

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5159

Abstract

Due to its properties, paper represents an alternative to perform point-of-care tests for colorimetric determination of glucose levels, providing simple, rapid, and inexpensive means of diagnosis. In this work, we report the development of a novel, rapid, disposable, inexpensive, enzyme-free, and colorimetric paper-based assay for glucose level determination. This sensing strategy is based on the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by reduction of a gold salt precursor, in which glucose acts simultaneously as reducing and capping agent. This leads to a direct measurement of glucose without any enzymes or depending on the detection of intermediate products as in conventional enzymatic colorimetric methods. Firstly, we modelled the synthesis reaction of AuNPs to determine the optical, morphological, and kinetic properties and their manipulation for glucose sensing, by determining the influence of each of the reaction precursors towards the produced AuNPs, providing a guide for the manipulation of nucleation and growth. The adaptation of this synthesis into the developed paper platform was tested and calibrated using different standard solutions with physiological concentrations of glucose. The response of the colorimetric signals obtained with this paper-based platform showed a linear behavior until 20 mM, required for glycemic control in diabetes, using the Red × Value/Grey feature combination as a calibration metric, to describe the variations in color intensity and hue in the spot test zone. The colorimetric sensor revealed a detection limit of 0.65 mM, depending on calibration metric and sensitivity of 0.013 AU/mM for a linear sensitivity range from 1.25 to 20 mM, with high specificity for the determination of glucose in complex standards with other common reducing interferents and human serum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications)

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14 pages, 4106 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Assays towards Melanoma Cells Using Phototherapy with Gold-Based Nanomaterials

by Joana Lopes, João Miguel Pinto Coelho, Pedro Manuel Cardoso Vieira, Ana Silveira Viana, Maria Manuela Gaspar and Catarina Reis

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(8), 1536; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10081536 - 5 Aug 2020

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3655

Abstract

Cancer like melanoma is a complex disease, for which standard therapies have significant adverse side effects that in most cases are ineffective and highly unspecific. Thus, a new paradigm has come with the need of achieving alternative (less invasive) and effective therapies. In this work, biocompatible gold nanoparticles (GNPs) coated with hyaluronic acid and oleic acid were prepared and characterized in terms of size, morphology and cytotoxicity in the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and two cell lines, the keratinocytes (healthy skin cells, HaCat) and the melanoma cells (B16F10). Results showed that these GNPs absorb within the near-infrared region (750–1400 nm), in the optical therapeutic window (from 650 to 1300 nm), in contrast to other commercial gold nanoparticles, which enables light to penetrate into deep skin layers. A laser emitting in this region was applied and its effect also analyzed. The coated GNPs showed a spherical morphology with a mean size of 297 nm without cytotoxic effects towards yeast and tested cell lines. Nevertheless, after laser irradiation, a reduction of 20% in B16F10 cell line viability was observed. In summary, this work appears to be a promising strategy for the treatment of non-metastatic melanoma or other superficial tumors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications)

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17 pages, 2815 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping Fluorescence Enhancement of Plasmonic Nanorod Coupled Dye Molecules

by Emese Tóth, Ditta Ungor, Tibor Novák, Györgyi Ferenc, Balázs Bánhelyi, Edit Csapó, Miklós Erdélyi and Mária Csete

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(6), 1048; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10061048 - 29 May 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3353

Abstract

Plasmonically enhanced fluorescence is a widely studied and applied phenomenon, however, only a comparative theoretical and experimental analysis of coupled fluorophores and plasmonic nanoresonators makes it possible to uncover how this phenomenon can be controlled. A numerical optimization method was applied to design configurations that are capable of resulting in an enhancement of excitation and emission, moreover, of both phenomena simultaneously in coupled Cy5 dye molecule and gold nanorod systems. Parametric sensitivity studies revealed how the fluorescence enhancement depends on the molecule’s location, distance and orientation. Coupled systems designed for simultaneous improvement exhibited the highest (intermediate directional) total fluorescence enhancement, which is accompanied by intermediate sensitivity to the molecule’s parameters, except the location and orientation sensitivity at the excitation wavelength. Gold nanorods with a geometry corresponding to the predicted optimal configurations were synthesized, and DNA strands were used to control the Cy5 dye molecule distance from the nanorod surface via hybridization of the Cy5-labelled oligonucleotide. State-of-the-art dSTORM microscopy was used to accomplish a proof-of-concept experimental demonstration of the theoretically predicted (directional) total fluorescence enhancement. The measured fluorescence enhancement was in good agreement with theoretical predictions, thus providing a complete kit to design and prepare coupled nanosystems exhibiting plasmonically enhanced fluorescence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications)

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11 pages, 1889 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biocide Activity of Green Quercetin-Mediated Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles

by Federico Tasca and Riccarda Antiochia

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(5), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10050909 - 8 May 2020

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4168

Abstract

The development of new nanomaterials is gaining increasing attention due to their extensive applications in fields ranging from medicine to food and cultural heritage. Green nanoparticles provide advantages compared to conventional nanoparticles as their synthesis is environmentally-friendly and does not require the use of high temperatures, pressure, or toxic chemicals. In this paper, green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized according to a new method using quercetin as a reducing agent at room temperature. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques and successively tested for biocide activity by studying their effects in the inhibition of bacterial growth. The results demonstrated that the smaller the AgNPs size, the greater their biocide activity. In particular, AgNPs with a diameter of 8 nm showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 1.0 μg/mL against Streptococcus sp., Escherichia coli and Candida sp. microorganisms, while AgNPs with a larger diameter of about 20 nm were able to inhibit microbial of all selected pathogens at a higher MIC value of 2.5 μg/mL. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications)

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17 pages, 3720 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential of Polymeric Films Loaded with Gold Nanorods for Local Hyperthermia Applications

by Álvaro Cárcamo-Martínez, Juan Domínguez-Robles, Brónach Mallon, Md. Taifur Raman, Ana Sara Cordeiro, Steven E. J. Bell, Eneko Larrañeta and Ryan F. Donnelly

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(3), 582; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10030582 - 23 Mar 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3677

Abstract

Current strategies for the treatment of superficial non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) lesions include topical imoquimod, 5-fluorouracil, and photodynamic therapy. Although these treatments are effective, burning pain, blistering, and dermatitis have been reported as frequent side effects, making these therapies far from ideal. Plasmonic materials have been investigated for the induction of hyperthermia and use in cancer treatment. In this sense, the effectiveness of intratumorally and systemically injected gold nanorods (GnRs) in inducing cancer cell death upon near-infrared light irradiation has been confirmed. However, the in vivo long-term toxicity of these particles has not yet been fully documented. In the present manuscript, GnRs were included in a crosslinked polymeric film, evaluating their mechanical, swelling, and adhesion properties; moreover, their ability to heat up neonatal porcine skin (such as a skin model) upon irradiation was tested. Inclusion of GnRs into the films did not affect mechanical or swelling properties. GnRs were not released after film swelling, as they remained entrapped in the polymeric network; moreover, films did not adhere to porcine skin, altogether showing the enhanced biocompatibility of the material. GnR-loaded films were able to heat up the skin model over 40 °C, confirming the potential of this system for non-invasive local hyperthermia applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications)

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10 pages, 1386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gold@Silica Nanoparticles Functionalized with Oligonucleotides: A Prominent Tool for the Detection of the Methylated Reprimo Gene in Gastric Cancer by Dynamic Light Scattering

by María José Marchant, Leda Guzmán, Alejandro H. Corvalán and Marcelo J. Kogan

Nanomaterials 2019, 9(9), 1333; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9091333 - 18 Sep 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3783

Abstract

Reprimo (RPRM) is a tumor suppressor gene involved in the development of gastric cancer. Hypermethylation of the RPRM promoter region has been found in tumor tissue and plasma samples from patients with gastric cancer. These findings suggest that circulating methylated DNA of RPRM could be a candidate for a noninvasive detection of gastric cancer. We designed a nanosystem based on the functionalization of silica coated gold nanoparticles with oligonucleotides that recognize a specific DNA fragment of the RPRM promoter region. The functionality of the oligonucleotide on the surface of the nanoparticle was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The nanoparticles were incubated with a synthetic DNA fragment of methylated DNA of RPRM and changes in the size distribution after hybridization were evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS). A difference in the size distribution of nanoparticles hybridized with genomic DNA from the KATO III gastric cancer cell line was observed when was compared with DNA from the GES-1 normal cell line. These results showed that this nanosystem may be a useful tool for the specific and sensitive detection of methylated DNA of RPRM in patients at risk of developing gastric cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications)

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Review

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23 pages, 1497 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in the Use of Iron–Gold Hybrid Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

by Mariam Abdulaziz M. Tarkistani, Varsha Komalla and Veysel Kayser

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(5), 1227; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11051227 - 6 May 2021

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 5034

Abstract

Recently, there has been an increased interest in iron–gold-based hybrid nanostructures, due to their combined outstanding optical and magnetic properties resulting from the usage of two separate metals. The synthesis of these nanoparticles involves thermal decomposition and modification of their surfaces using a variety of different methods, which are discussed in this review. In addition, different forms such as core–shell, dumbbell, flower, octahedral, star, rod, and Janus-shaped hybrids are discussed, and their unique properties are highlighted. Studies on combining optical response in the near-infrared window and magnetic properties of iron–gold-based hybrid nanoparticles as multifunctional nanoprobes for drug delivery, magnetic–photothermal heating as well as contrast agents during magnetic and optical imaging and magnetically-assisted optical biosensing to detect traces of targeted analytes inside the body has been reviewed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications)

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16 pages, 4107 KiB

Open AccessReview

Engineering the Interface between Inorganic Nanoparticles and Biological Systems through Ligand Design

by Rui Huang, David C. Luther, Xianzhi Zhang, Aarohi Gupta, Samantha A. Tufts and Vincent M. Rotello

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(4), 1001; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11041001 - 13 Apr 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4391

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) provide multipurpose platforms for a wide range of biological applications. These applications are enabled through molecular design of surface coverages, modulating NP interactions with biosystems. In this review, we highlight approaches to functionalize nanoparticles with “small” organic ligands (Mw < 1000), [...] Read more.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications)

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26 pages, 2757 KiB

Open AccessReview

Green Plasmonic Nanoparticles and Bio-Inspired Stimuli-Responsive Vesicles in Cancer Therapy Application

by Valeria De Matteis, Loris Rizzello, Mariafrancesca Cascione, Eva Liatsi-Douvitsa, Azzurra Apriceno and Rosaria Rinaldi

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(6), 1083; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10061083 - 31 May 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4308

Abstract

In the last years, there is a growing interest in the application of nanoscaled materials in cancer therapy because of their unique physico-chemical properties. However, the dark side of their usability is limited by their possible toxic behaviour and accumulation in living organisms. Starting from this assumption, the search for a green alternative to produce nanoparticles (NPs) or the discovery of green molecules, is a challenge in order to obtain safe materials. In particular, gold (Au NPs) and silver (Ag NPs) NPs are particularly suitable because of their unique physico-chemical properties, in particular plasmonic behaviour that makes them useful as active anticancer agents. These NPs can be obtained by green approaches, alternative to conventional chemical methods, owing to the use of phytochemicals, carbohydrates, and other biomolecules present in plants, fungi, and bacteria, reducing toxic effects. In addition, we analysed the use of green and stimuli-responsive polymeric bio-inspired nanovesicles, mainly used in drug delivery applications that have revolutionised the way of drugs supply. Finally, we reported the last examples on the use of metallic and Au NPs as self-propelling systems as new concept of nanorobot, which are able to respond and move towards specific physical or chemical stimuli in biological entities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties and Biomedical Applications)

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