Gold Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle Mediated Protein and DNA Codelivery to Plant Cells Via the Biolistic Method

Recent advancements in the synthesis of monodispersed, large average pore diameter mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) materials with highly functionalizable surface area ( ≥ 400 m 2 g − 1 ) and pore volume (1.05 cm 3 g − 1 ) has led to the development of a series of biomolecule delivery vehicles, where various proteins, small DNA and RNA sequences, and other biomolecules are loaded into the mesopores and on the external surface, and released in vitro or in cellular systems. [ 1–4 ] The large pore volumes and surface area of these materials allow for the effi cient adsorption of biomolecules and subsequent delivery to viable animal and plant cells. Additionally, recent reports on functionalizing the surface of MSN demonstrate that this material can be tuned to optimize various applications. Organic and inorganic functionalization leads to control in MSN uptake by cells, [ 5 ] magnetization of MSN, [ 6 ] the DNA/RNA affi nity for MSN, [ 7 ] and increasing the inherent density of MSN. [ 3 ] These examples illustrate the potential that MSN materials have on biomolecule entrapment and release applications. Delivery of biomolecules mediated by MSN materials is particularly interesting because proteins are often unable to cross the membrane barrier of cells without the assistance of protein transport systems. [ 8 ]