Biomolecule/nanoparticle hybrid systems for bioanalysis and nanomedicine

Ronit Freeman, Bilha Willner, Itamar Willner

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) and semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) exhibit unique photophysical, electronic and catalytic properties. The present article summarizes several paradigms developed in our laboratory for the use of semiconductor QDs and metal NPs for the in vitro and intracellular bioanalytical applications. Special emphasis is directed to the use of the different systems for future nano-medicine. Different photophysical mechanisms are implemented for the application of QDs for bioanalysis including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), electron transfer quenching, and chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET). The different mechanisms are used to develop analytical assays for enzymes, analysis of DNA, and the detection of aptamer-substrate complexes. Specifically, the development of multiplexed analysis schemes, and the amplified detection of DNA through the enzymatic recycling of the target-analyte are addressed. The plasmonic properties of metal NPs are utilized to develop optical bioanalytical platforms. This is addressed with the biocatalytic growth of Au NPs and the colorimetric detection of enzyme activities and their substrates such as alcohol dehydrogenase, glucose oxidase and tyrosinase. The aggregation of Au NPs and the resulting color change, as a result of interparticle coupling of the localized plasmons of the individual Au NPs is implemented to develop different sensing platforms. This is addressed with the detection of DNA and of Pb2+-ions, using the Pb 2+-dependent DNAzyme. Also, the coupling between the localized plasmon of Au NPs and the surface plasmon wave associated with surfaces is implemented to develop amplified surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis schemes for DNA aptamer-substrate complexes and Hg2+-ions. Finally, Nile-blue-functionalized semiconductor QDs are used to detect the 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate), NAD(P)H, cofactor. The sensing of the cofactor is applied to follow the intracellular metabolism of HeLa cancer cells, and to probe anti-cancer drugs (taxol). Similarly, the NADH-mediated growth of Cu on Au NPs is used to follow biocatalytic transformations by plasmon resonance Rayleigh scattering spectroscopy of single metallic NPs using dark-field microscopy. Upon the incorporation of the NPs in HeLa cancer cells, the intracellular metabolism could be followed at the single-NP level, and the effect of anti-cancer drugs on cell metabolism was followed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFunctional Nanoparticles for Functional Nanoparticles for and Bioelectronic Devices
Subtitle of host publicationVolume 1
PublisherAmerican Chemical Society
Pages1-31
Number of pages31
ISBN (Print)9780841227750
DOIs
StatePublished - 26 Nov 2012

Publication series

NameACS Symposium Series
Volume1112
ISSN (Print)0097-6156
ISSN (Electronic)1947-5918

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