Nanoparticle biosynthesis using unicellular and subcellular supports

Abstract

Modern life is becoming increasingly sophisticated because of products engineered using designs inspired by nature. Fifty years ago, the burdock plant motivated Swiss scientists to invent Velcro, which was a simple but widely applied design that is still considered the greatest biomimetic invention yet. In nanotechnology, interest in biosynthesis of nanoparticles is increasing, particularly in the use of unicellular and subcellular supports. However, the polydispersity of the resultant structure, limited opportunity for product control and commercial applications of biosynthesized nanoparticles remain as challenges. Using different approaches, studies have attempted to understand nanoparticle biosynthesis and control of particle size and uniformity. In the biotechnological approach, gene sequences that were identified in one organism via gene silencing and were critical for nanoparticle synthesis were introduced and expressed in a different organism or overexpressed by promoters in the same organism to enhance productivity. In contrast, physical and chemical approaches were used for the control of nanoparticle synthesis. To provide a comprehensive understanding of nanoparticle biosynthesis using unicellular and subcellular supports, this review discusses recent studies and experimental evidence in the following categories: synthesis of metal, quantum dot, magnetic and bacterial protein nanoparticles.

Selective cytotoxicity of green synthesized silver nanoparticles against the MCF-7 tumor cell line and their enhanced antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

“…Utilization of toxic and hazardous solvents, however, is one of the shortfalls of the chemical processes. [10][11][12][13][14] Recently, green synthesis has been introduced as a simple, economically viable, and environmentally friendly alternative approach for the synthesis of nanoparticles. In a typical green synthesis, biological compounds (such as plant extracts), microorganisms, or even eukaryotic cells act as both reducing agent and stabilizing agent leading to the production of desirable nanoparticles with predefined features.…”

Functionalization of small platinum nanoparticles with amines and phosphines: Ligand binding modes and particle stability

“…Metal nanoparticles are applied in various fields of research, such as chemistry and biology [1][2][3][4]. Broad areas of application are for example sensing, material science and catalysis [5,6] interest in the nanoparticles arises from their unique properties, as e.g., their high ratio of surface-to-bulk atoms.…”

Microbial Nanotechnology: Challenges and Prospects for Green Biocatalytic Synthesis of Nanoscale Materials for Sensoristic and Biomedical Applications

“…The in vivo microbial nanobiosynthesis and possible control and tuning of nanomaterial properties represent a concrete opportunity for future development and promising uses in biosensoristics and biomedical fields. Despite all the advantages, microbial nanotechnology still has very limited uses [89]. Bacteria have showed the ability to synthetize nanomaterials either by extracellular or intracellular mechanisms.…”