Fig. 1
Au-nanoprobe synthesis. Examples of consecutive steps of nanoparticle synthesis, ligand functionalization, and optional bio-conjugation. AuNPs of different morphologies (rod-shaped, triangular plates, but mostly spherical) can be linked to thiolated bifunctional ligands (11-mecarcaptoundecanoic acid (MUA); thiolated nickel(II) nitrilotriacetate (Ni-NTA); or single-stranded thiolated nucleic acid oligomers). Optional additional bio-conjugation can include antibodies (e.g., chemically cross-linked to MUA) or a His-tagged protein (binds to Ni-NTA)