The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
Magnetic gold nanoparticles (mGNP) have become a great interest of research for nanomaterial scientists because of their significant magnetic and plasmonic properties applicable in biomedical applications. Various synthetic approaches and surface modification techniques have been used for mGNP including the most common being the coprecipitation, thermal decomposition, and microemulsion methods in addition to the Brust Schiffrin technique, which involves the reduction of metal precursors in a two-phase system (water and toluene) in the presence of alkanethiol. The hybrid magnetic–plasmonic nanoparticles based on iron core and gold shell are being considered as potential theragnostic agents. Herein, in addition to future works, we will discuss recent developments for synthesis and surface modification of mGNP with their applications in modern biomedical science such as drug and gene delivery, bioimaging, biosensing, and neuro-regenerative disorders. I shall also discuss the techniques based on my research related to the biological applications of mGNP.
My research work mainly focuses on the construction and function of DNA
nanomachines, which are cutting-edge and challenging topics. I designed and
constructed unique DNA motifs using a short circular DNA nanotechnology
technique and functionalized these probes with fluorophores, gold
nanoparticles, small molecular drugs, and peptide ligands. My work on the DNA
nanomachines provided an efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer
mechanism that realizes the bio-imaging, detection of biological events, and
functions of the biomolecules. I have also been working on multilayered hybrid
magnetic nanoparticles for applications in nanomedicine for the last three
years.