Title:Polymer Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications
Volume: 25
Issue: 12
Author(s): Stanley Anniebell and Subash C.B. Gopinath*
Affiliation:
- School of Bioprocess Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600 Arau, Perlis,Malaysia
Keywords:
Polyethylene glycol, gold nanoparticle, biofouling, biomedicine, polymer, biomedical applications.
Abstract: Background: Research interest on the properties of polymer conjugated gold
nanoparticle (GNP) in biomedicine is rapidly rising because of the extensive evidences for
their unique properties. In the field of biomedicine, GNPs have been widely used because of
their inertness and low levels of cytotoxicity. Therefore, when exposed to cells, they are less
prone to exert damaging effects. GNPs are capable of being functionalized as desired and are
ideal as they do not encourage undesired side reactions that might counter react with the intention
of the functionalization. Biofouling is an occurrence that takes place at cellular and
biological molecular level, binds non-specifically on the detection surface and forms a wrong
output. This undesired incidence can be avoided by conjugating the surface of biomolecules
with polymers. Densely packed repeating chains of polymers such as polyethylene glycol are
capable of decreasing non-specific reactions. Applications of polymer conjugated GNPs in
the field of biomedicine are as biosensors, delivery and therapeutic agents.
Conclusion: Therefore, the properties and applications of polymer conjugated GNPs are
studied widely as overviewed here.
