Work

Au-nanocluster-loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles with enhanced cellular uptake for fluorescent imaging

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Protein-directed fluorescent Au nanoclusters have been widely studied owing to their potential applications in sensing, imaging, and drug and gene delivery. However, the use of nanoclusters in drug delivery is limited by low cellular uptake. In this study, human serum albumin-directed Au nanoclusters served as building blocks to obtain protein nanoparticles by desolvation. The nanoparticles had a decent quantum yield (QY), high colloidal stability and low cytotoxicity, and they could be readily conjugated with biological molecules. The cellular uptake of the Au nanoclusters and nanocluster-loaded protein nanoparticles were studied by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Agglomeration of the protein-directed Au nanoclusters into 50–150-nm nanoparticles dramatically increased the cellular uptake.

Source: Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences

DOI: 10.1142/s1793545816500048

Authors: Boris Khlebtsov, Artur Prilepskii, Maria Lomova, Nikolai Khlebtsov

Institutions: Saratov State University, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms

Language: English

Topic: Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,500