Gold Nanorod/Fe3O4 Nanoparticle “Nano‐Pearl‐Necklaces” for Simultaneous Targeting,Dual‐Mode Imaging,and Photothermal Ablation of Cancer Cells

Perlen auf Gold : Neuartige multifunktionelle Nanopartikel bestehen aus einzelnen Amin‐modifizierten Goldnanostäbchen, an denen Fe₃O₄‐„Perlen“ mit Carboxyendgruppe angebracht sind. Die Partikel eignen sich zur simultanen Erkennung, dualen Bildgebung und photothermischen Ablation von Brustkrebszellen.

     

One‐Step Formation of “Chain‐Armor”‐Stabilized DNA Nanostructures

DNA‐based self‐assembled nanostructures are widely used to position organic and inorganic objects with nanoscale precision. A particular promising application of DNA structures is their usage as programmable carrier systems for targeted drug delivery. To provide DNA‐based templates that are robust against degradation at elevated temperatures, low ion concentrations, adverse pH conditions, and DNases, we built 6‐helix DNA tile tubes consisting of 24 oligonucleotides carrying alkyne groups on their 3′‐ends and azides on their 5′‐ends. By a mild click reaction, the two ends of selected oligonucleotides were covalently connected to form rings and interlocked DNA single strands, so‐called DNA catenanes. Strikingly, the structures stayed topologically intact in pure water and even after precipitation from EtOH. The structures even withstood a temperature of 95 °C when all of the 24 strands were chemically interlocked.     

Preparation of Nanogapped Gold Nanoparticle Array for DNA Detection

A novel DNA detection technique using a gold nanoparticle array film electrode has been reported here. The gold nanoparticles molecularly linked with binder molecule (1,10‐decanedithiol) were separated 1.3 nm from each other, and the DNA conductivity change from single to double strand was measured by monitoring a voltage drop across the particles, between which a probe of a 12‐mer oligonucleotide was immobilized. In adding a complementary oligonucleotide on the nanoparticle film chip, an immediate decrease in the film resistance (ca. 1.4 Ω) due to a hybridization event occurred in a reproducible manner with this simple setup. In the paper, we have an interest in the primary sensing properties; effect of the film resistance on the sensor response, dependence of the resistance change on the DNA concentration, and the performance of the system for DNA detection including single nucleotide polymorphisms were described.     

Polymer nanocomposites with “ultralow” refractive index

Nanocomposites of gelatine and gold were prepared by reduction of AuCl₄H in a gelatine solution, followed by a spin coating process and a brief washing. The thickness of the films thus obtained was typically 200–400 nm. The surface of the nanocomposites was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface profilometry. The size of the gold particles is in the range of ca. 2–10 nm, as elucidated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Refractive indices were measured by ellipsometry at wavelengths of 632.8 and 1300 nm. The refractive index depends linearly on the volume fraction of gold, at least at 1300 nm. The lowest refractive indices measured are 1.008±0.060 at 1300 nm and 0.963±0.062 at 632.8 nm (limits are 95% confidence interval). These values are, to our best knowledge, the lowest reported for a polymer or polymer composite.