Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Intelligent Noble Nanoparticle System
Molecule rendering the
particle inert to RES
clearance
Molecule promoting
endocytosis in target
cell
Specific cell
targeting molecule
erapeutic drug
Noble metal core: A vehicle,
contrast and therapeutic
agent
FIGURE 24.4
A.generic.design.of.highly.functional.mixed.monolayer.protected.clusters.or.tool.box.showing.the.incorpora-
tion.of.multiple.functionalities.on.the.surface.of.the.metal.nanoparticle.core..Each.of.the.functionalities.in.the.
multiplexed.system.serves.a.speciic.function.in.biological.applications.and.they.could.be.attached.or.replaced.
at.various.stages.of.synthesis.
24.3.4 Key Properties of the Ideal MPC Bioconjugate System
The.primary.objective.in.attaching.a.biomolecule.to.a.nanoparticle.is.to.develop.a.func-
tional.MPC.bioconjugate.system.possessing.the.properties.shown.in.Figure 24.4..Such.an.
“intelligent”.nanoparticle.system.should.have.properties.that.can,.in.principle,.be.exploited.
for.biolabeling.purposes,.in.either.optical.or.electron.microscopy..The.idea.is.not.to.make.
particles. with.only.one.speciic. biological. recognition.function,.but.instead.to.provide.a.
generic. surface. chemistry. that. will. easily. allow. the. incorporation. of. a. practical. variety.
of.desired.recognition.motifs..The.desired.biogold/silver.system,.as.schematically.shown.
in. Figure 24.4,. is. designed. and. developed. to. address. many. biological. and. pharmaceuti-
cal.applications..The.inal.system.should.also.accommodate.the.following.criteria:.water.
soluble,.extremely.stable.in.biological.environments,.functionalized,.and.hence.versatile.to.
address.a.wide.range.of.biological.and.related.applications.
24.4 TheUseofNobleMPCsinTherapeutics
24.4.1 Cancer Targeting Strategies Using Metal Nanoparticles
Strategies. for. the. targeted. therapy. of. malignancies. can. be. achieved. by. the. bioconjuga-
tion. of. biomolecules. such. as. peptides,. nucleic. acid. aptamers,. carbohydrates,. and. small.
molecules..These,.in.addition.to.the.widely.accepted.antibody-based.techniques,.present.
a.multifunctional.toolbox.when.coupled.to.noble.metal.nanoparticles.in.addressing.active.
