Gold Nanoparticles for Biology and Medicine*
David A. Giljohann, Dwight S. Seferos, Weston L. Daniel, Matthew D. Massich, Pinal C. Patel, Chad A. Mirkin
Abstract
Gold colloids have fascinated scientists for over a century and are heavily utilized in chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine. Gold nanoparticles have a rich history in chemistry, dating back to ancient Roman times where they were used to stain glasses for decorative purposes. The Brust–Schiffrin method allows for the synthesis of monodisperse gold nanoparticles ranging from 1 to 3 nm in diameter. Antibody-labeled gold nanoconjugates have been used in immunohistochemistry for almost 40 years. Gold nanorods and nanoshells conjugated with antibodies are being developed as photothermal therapy agents that use antibody-coated surfaces to hone in on cancerous cells. Gold nanoconjugates are an important class of materials that have already proven useful in fundamental cell biology applications. The use of gold nanoconjugates provides a highly effective method for introducing substances into cells. The toxicity of several types and sizes of gold nanoconjugates has been investigated by a number of independent research groups.