Biologically Functional Cationic Phospholipid-gold Nanoplasmonic Carriers

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region are promising for drug and gene delivery, biomedical imaging, and therapeutics due to their unique optical properties and large surface area. These properties make GNPs ideal carriers for biomolecules, which remain inactive until activated by photothermal conversion. The NIR wavelength is particularly suitable for biomedical applications as tissues are transparent in this range. Gold nanorods (GNRs) are especially noteworthy for their large absorption cross-section and tunable plasmon resonance. However, their use in biological applications is limited by issues of carrier functionality, colloidal stability, and cytotoxicity, particularly due to the use of the cytotoxic surfactant CTAB during synthesis. To address these challenges, biologically functional cationic phospholipid-coated GNPs (bioGNPs) have been developed. These bioGNPs demonstrate improved colloidal stability, retain their unique optical properties under physiological conditions, and show no cytotoxicity. The positively charged cationic phospholipid bilayer allows for the adsorption or incorporation of RNA, DNA, proteins, or drugs, making bioGNPs particularly useful for a wide range of imaging, therapeutic, and gene delivery applications that utilize their selective nanoplasmonic properties.

Publication reference: Lee, S.E. et al., J Am Chem Soc, 2009, 131(39), 14066-14074.