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Nanoparticle Beacons: Supersensitive Smart Materials with On/Off-Switchable Affinity to Biomedical Targets.
Vladimir R Cherkasov1,2, Elizaveta N Mochalova1,2, Andrey V Babenyshev1,2
1Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , 9 Institutskii per. , 141700 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region , Russia.
ACS Nano
|January 17, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed ultrasensitive smart nanoagents that switch affinity for targets based on chemical triggers. This breakthrough enables precise diagnostics and targeted therapy with high sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Smart materials with chemical trigger responsiveness are crucial for precise biomedical diagnostics and therapy.
- Current nanoagents often lack the sensitivity required for real-world applications, limiting their use in targeted drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop ultrasensitive smart nanoagents with switchable affinity for biomedical targets.
- To enhance the selectivity of drug delivery and improve diagnostic capabilities using responsive nanomaterials.
Main Methods:
- Surface coating of gold nanoparticles with flexible polymer chains exhibiting input-switchable structures.
- Utilizing a DNA-model polymer to regulate receptor accessibility for target binding.
- Implementing a lateral flow assay to test nanoagent responsiveness to DNA input.
Main Results:
- Developed nanoagents with input-dependent cell-targeting capabilities.
- Achieved high sensitivity, detecting as little as 30 fM of DNA input within 15 minutes.
- Demonstrated switchable affinity without compromising input sensitivity through surface phenomena.
Conclusions:
- Surface phenomena can enhance nanoagents with switchable affinity and high sensitivity.
- The proposed approach is promising for next-generation theranostic agents.
- This technology holds potential for ultrasensitive nanosensors in point-of-care diagnostics.
