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International Journal of Biomedical Imaging
Volume 2007 (2007), Article ID 29817, 10 pages
doi:10.1155/2007/29817
Synthesis and Bioconjugation of Gold Nanoparticles as Potential Molecular Probes for Light-Based Imaging Techniques
1Biophysical Engineering Group, Institute for Biomedical Technology (BMTI), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands
2Molecular Cell Biology Group, Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials, Institute for Biomedical Technology (BMTI), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, Enschede 7500 AE, The Netherlands
Received 15 January 2007; Accepted 14 June 2007
Academic Editor: Wenxiang Cong
Copyright © 2007 Raja Gopal Rayavarapu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
We have synthesized and characterized gold nanoparticles (spheres and rods) with optical extinction bands within the “optical imaging window.” The intense plasmon resonant driven absorption and scattering peaks of these nanoparticles make them suitable as contrast agents for optical imaging techniques. Further, we have conjugated these gold nanoparticles to a mouse monoclonal antibody specific to HER2 overexpressing SKBR3 breast carcinoma cells. The bioconjugation protocol uses noncovalent modes of binding based on a combination of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions of the antibody and the gold surface. We discuss various aspects of the synthesis and bioconjugation protocols and the characterization results of the functionalized nanoparticles. Some proposed applications of these potential molecular probes in the field of biomedical imaging are also discussed.