Targeted metallic nanoparticles have shown potential as a platform for development of molecular-specific contrast agents. Aptamers have recently been demonstrated as ideal candidates for molecular targeting applications. In this study, we investigated the development of aptamer-based gold nanoparticles as contrast agents, using aptamers as targeting agents and gold nanoparticles as imaging agen...

Magnetic nanoparticles have been developed in recent years with applications in unique and crucial areas such as biomedicine, data storage, environmental remediation, catalysis, and so forth. NaYF4 nanoparticles were synthesized and isolated with lanthanide dopant percentages, confirmed by ICP-OES measurements, of Er, Yb, Tb, Gd, and Dy that were in agreement with the targeted ratios. SEM image...

We present a multifunctional nanoparticle platform that has targeting moieties shielded by a matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) cleavable PEG coating. Upon incubation with MMP2 this surface-switchable coating is removed and the targeting ligands become available for binding. The concept was evaluated in vitro using biotin and αvβ3-integrin-specific RGD-peptide functionalized nanoparticles.

A ratiometric, multifunctional nanoprobe was prepared consisting of a self-assembled polymeric micelle as the carrier, tetraphenylethene (TPE) as the donor, fluorescent boronate as the H2O2-responsive acceptor, and triphenylphosphonium as a mitochondria-targeted moiety. The assembled nanoparticles could detect both exogenous and endogenous mitochondrial H2O2 changes in living cells.

We demonstrate a sol-gel approach, using a water-in-oil microemulsion as the template, for the synthesis of hollow and yolk/shell silica nanospheres, which can encapsulate pre-formed hydrophobic nanoparticles, and we then explore these multifunctional hollow nanospheres in cell-labeling applications.

The synthesis, optical properties and efficiency of new multifunctional nanoparticles as theranostic (fluorescence/MRI/PDT) agents are described. They are based on a polysiloxane network and surrounded by gadolinium(III) chelates and ruthenium(II) complexes. The size of the nanoparticles is maintained under 5 nm in order to permit their efficient elimination from the body. Their potential use a...

This study fabricated novel multifunctional pH-sensitive nanoparticles loaded into microbubbles (PNP-MB) with the combined advantages of two excellent drug delivery vehicles, namely, pH-sensitive nanoparticles and microbubbles. As an antitumor drug, resveratrol (RES) was loaded into acetylated β-cyclodextrin nanoparticles (RES-PNP). The drug-loaded nanoparticles were then encapsulated into the ...

A procedure for the synthesis of multifunctional europium(III)-doped gadolinium(III) fluoride (Eu:GdF3) nanoparticles (~85 nm) with quasispherical shape by precipitation at 120 °C from diethylene glycol solutions containing lanthanide chlorides and an ionic liquid (1-Butyl, 2-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate) as fluoride source has been developed. These nanoparticles were polycrystalline and...

Multifunctional nanoparticles composed of MnFe₂O₄ were encapsulated in chitosan for investigation of system to combine magnetically-triggered drug delivery and localized hyperthermia for cancer treatment with the previously published capacity of MnFe₂O₄ to be used as an efficient MRI contrast agent for cancer diagnosis. This paper focuses on the synthesis and characterization of magnetic MnFe₂O...

Radiation therapy is an effective cancer treatment option in conjunction with chemotherapy and surgery. Emerging individualized internal and systemic radiation treatment promises significant improvement in efficacy and reduction of normal tissue damage; however, it requires cancer cell targeting platforms for efficient delivery of radiation sources. With recent advances in nanoscience and nanot...