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

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.

Application of surfactants in the electrochemical sensing and biosensing of biomolecules and drug molecules

“…It has been proved that surfactants (>2.0 M) can shield the repulsive interactions between the neighbouring strands of DNA, and promote the higher densities of DNA assembled on the surface of AuNRs. 46 Besides, in Liu's work, 47 an immunosensor with a sandwich structure was assembled on AgNPs/dsDNA/PEDOT/SPE to achieve highly sensitive detection of PSA. The addition of cationic micelles reduced the oxidation potential of EDOT.…”

Advances and Trends in miRNA Analysis Using DNAzyme-Based Biosensors

“…Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are one of the most widely used nanomaterials in many fields due to their unique optical and electronic properties, high surface-to-volume ratio, high stability, and low/non-cytotoxicity. Through thiol DNA with high affinity for the AuNP surface, it has become possible to combine the excellent properties of AuNPs with various biological functions of DNAs, and DNA-functionalized AuNPs can be applied in the biomedical field [ 61 , 62 ]. DNA functionalized on the surface of AuNPs is nuclease-resistant and can be easily transfected into cells.…”

Construction and bioanalytical applications of poly-adenine-mediated gold nanoparticle-based spherical nucleic acids

“…48 Second, the surface density and the orientation of the DNA probes can be accurately controlled, and thus the hybridization performance, such as hybridization capability and hybridization kinetics, can be systematically modulated. Although many reviews have been published and summarized the progress of DNA–AuNPs in terms of the interfacial interactions between DNA and AuNPs, 49 biosensing, 50,51 live-cell analysis, 52 and biomedical applications, 53 reviewing the advances in polyA-mediated SNAs in the aspect of biosensing is rare.…”