The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China
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. To achieve plasmon resonance effects, I achieved nano-specific precision in organizing plasmonic nanoparticles on the nano DNA frameworks. 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.