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DNA-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Metabolite and Nucleic Acid Detection

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DNA and RNA Nanobiotechnologies in Medicine: Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases

Part of the book series: RNA Technologies ((RNATECHN))

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Abstract

In this chapter, we introduce the physical properties of DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), including distance-dependent color, high DNA loading, protection against nuclease cleavage, and fluorescence quenching. Attaching DNA and aptamers to AuNPs allows the construction of colorimetric and fluorescent biosensors for detecting all types of disease markers, ranging from DNA, RNA, proteins to small molecule metabolites. Early work in this field was performed in clean buffers and in serum samples. Delivery of DNA-functionalized AuNPs into cells has been recently realized, allowing for intracellular detection. At the same time, such AuNPs can be used for delivery of antisense DNA for gene therapy applications. Armed with both detection and therapeutic functions, DNA-functionalized AuNPs represent an ideal platform to achieve the goal of theranostics. The outlook of the field for future development has also been discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3G1

    Alexander C. F. Ip & Juewen Liu

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  1. Alexander C. F. Ip
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  2. Juewen Liu
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Correspondence to Juewen Liu .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Chemistry/Biochemistry, Free University Berlin, Thielallee 63, Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Volker A. Erdmann

  2. Inst. Bioorganic Chemistry, PAN Poznan, ul. Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, Poznan, 61-704, Poland

    Jan Barciszewski

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Ip, A.C.F., Liu, J. (2013). DNA-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Metabolite and Nucleic Acid Detection. In: Erdmann, V., Barciszewski, J. (eds) DNA and RNA Nanobiotechnologies in Medicine: Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases. RNA Technologies. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36853-0_5

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