DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles: Modification, characterization, and biomedical applications

Xiaoyi Ma; Xiaoqiang Li; Gangyin Luo; Jin Jiao

doi:10.3389/fchem.2022.1095488

DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles: Modification, characterization, and biomedical applications

Front Chem. 2022 Dec 13:10:1095488. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1095488. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Xiaoyi Ma¹, Xiaoqiang Li¹, Gangyin Luo¹, Jin Jiao²

Affiliations

¹ Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China.
² School of Life Sciences, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.

Abstract

With the development of technologies based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), bare AuNPs cannot meet the increasing requirements of biomedical applications. Modifications with different functional ligands are usually needed. DNA is not only the main genetic material, but also a good biological material, which has excellent biocompatibility, facile design, and accurate identification. DNA is a perfect ligand candidate for AuNPs, which can make up for the shortcoming of bare AuNPs. DNA-modified AuNPs (DNA-AuNPs) have exciting features and bright prospects in many fields, which have been intensively investigated in the past decade. In this review, we summarize the various approaches for the immobilization of DNA strands on the surface of AuNPs. Representative studies for biomedical applications based on DNA-AuNPs are also discussed. Finally, we present the challenges and future directions.

Keywords: DNA hybridization; DNA modification; biosensor; gold nanoparticles; therapy.

Publication types

Review