Preparations of Functionalized Nanoparticles and Their Applications for Biological Imaging and Labeling

Abstract

Metal and semiconductor nanostructures of Au, core-shell II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals and silica nanotubes are prepared by solution syntheses. The surfaces of those nanoparticles were modified by several different biological molecules including short peptide chains, carbohydrates and dendrimers. The nanoparticles functionalized with specific ligands are used for bio-labeling and imaging purposes. The binding or interactions between the functionalized nanoparticles and specific receptors are investigated, and multi-valence effects are systematically studied. Multi-photon spectroscopy was employed to investigate the transdermal delivery pathway using fluorescent quantum dots as an indicator. New applications of those functionalized nanoparticles in a living cell will be also discussed.