Metal nanoparticles are being extensively used in various biomedical applications due to their small size to volume ratio and extensive thermal stability. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are an obvious choice due to their amenability of synthesis and functionalization, less toxicity and ease of detection. The present review focuses on various methods of functionalization of GNPs and their applications in biomedical research. Functionalization facilitates targeted delivery of these nanoparticles to various cell types, bioimaging, gene delivery, drug delivery and other therapeutic and diagnostic applications. This review is an amalgamation of recent advances in the field of functionalization of gold nanoparticles and their potential applications in the field of medicine and biology.

SignificanceNanoparticle-mediated delivery of siRNA to hepatocytes has treated disease in humans. However, systemically delivering RNA drugs to nonliver tissues remains an important challenge. To increase the number of nanoparticles that could be studied in vivo, we designed a high-throughput method to measure how >100 nanoparticles delivered mRNA that was translated into functional protein in vivo. We quantified how >250 lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) delivered mRNA in vivo, identifying two LNPs that deliver mRNA to endothelial cells. One of the LNPs codelivered Cas9 mRNA and single-guide RNA in vivo, leading to endothelial cell gene editing. This approach can identify nanoparticles that target new cells.

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