Branched gold nanoparticles for biological applications

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles have been studied extensively due to their strong capability for cancer treatment without drugs and their equally strong potential in the anti-bacterial field. Due to their ease of synthesis, chemical stability, activation by light, and controllable toxicity, gold nanomaterials, especially branched gold nanoparticles, have attracted enormous interest as a new biomaterial. Compared to traditional spherical gold nanoparticles, branched gold nanoparticles have a significantly higher surface area and better photothermal capability, which could make them even more attractive for medical applications. This research focused on the synthesis method of branched gold nanoparticles and their biological applications in anti-cancer and anti-bacterial field. This research produced 10 nm level branched gold nanoparticles in a various surface ratio of the branch part using a modified synthesis method. Moreover, by controlling the surface ratio of branch part, activation wave length can be designed, which provides the potential of involving photothermal technique in both anti-cancer and anti-bacterial field. On the other hand, this research indicated well biocompatibility of branched gold nanoparticle as well as its promised capacity in anti-bacterial field. Compared to non-exposure human dermal fibroblasts, over 70% of human dermal fibroblasts survived from 100 µg/ml exposure for 24 hours. Furthermore, over 72% of Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited after 24 hours exposure in 75 µg/ml branched gold nanoparticles.