Biomolecule-functionalized nanoparticles binding

In recent years, there has been a lot of research in the utilization of biomolecule-functionalized nanoparticles for the formation of hybrid nanostructures. While much effort was spent on solution systems, there are some examples that exploit the binding specificity of the biomolecules, for example, proteins, peptides, and DNA to assemble nanoparticles on surfaces. 

The strong and specific biotin-streptavidin binding was used to assemble biomolecule-functionalized nanoparticles in multilayered structures.67 Application of an electrical field allowed the assembly of multilayer structures by using extremely low concentrations of nanoparticles with minimal nonspecific binding. A microelectrode array was used to facilitate the rapid parallel electrophoretic transport and binding of biotin- and streptavidin-functionalized fluorescent nanoparticles to specific sites. By controlling the current, voltage, and activation time at each nanoparticle adsorption step, the directed assembly of more than 50 layers of nanoparticles was accomplished within an hour. 

The branched polysaccharide dextran is assembled with alkanethiol-modified gold nanoparticles and the resulting nanocomposite is then functionalized to facilitate the specific binding of target biomolecules. This biorecognition process can be easily detected by particle plasmon resonance (PPR), based on the optical properties of gold nanoparticles [163]. 

Au NPs functionalized with biomolecules can be synthesized using different methods, depending on factors inducing the interactions promoted between the nanoparticle and the biomolecule. These interactions can be classified as electrostatic adsorption, chemisorption and covalent binding and, finally, specific affinity interactions. Some examples are given in the following paragraphs (Scheme 3.23). 

The third group of Au NP-biomolecule interactions are referred to as specific affinity interactions and include nanoparticles functionalized with groups that provide affinity sites for the binding of bio molecules such as proteins and oligonucleotides. 

Functionalization of Nanoparticles with Biomolecules by Chemisorption of Thiol Derivatives and by Covalent Binding Through Bifunctional Linkers... 

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