Gold nanoparticles provide an ideal way to deliver genetic material, proteins, drugs, and small molecules into the body. They demonstrate low toxicity, easily controllable synthesis and morphology, and can be quickly adapted to serve as carriers. We synthesized 20 nm gold nanoparticles using a modified Turkevich method with trisodium citrate as the reducing and capping agent. A monolayer of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) is obtained by performing a thiol ligand exchange reaction between the MUA and the citrate molecules adhered to the surface of the nanoparticle. 4-Phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor and protein folding chaperone drug, is attached to the nanoparticles under closely controlled pH conditions. The synthesis and functionalization processes are monitored using DLS size measurement, zeta potential measurement, UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. Conjugation assays using human serum albumin with the conjugated gold nanoparticles along with UV-Vis and fluorescence measurements will confirm functional activity of the conjugated nanoparticle-drug and allow for further testing. Future work will include synthesizing drug conjugated gold nanoparticles that are bound to a fluorescent probe for nanoparticle tracking <i>in viv</i>o and the introduction of transferrin to allow for increased membrane permeability by using selective cellular transport systems, such as receptor-mediated endocytosis present at the surface of cells.

Bioconjugation of gold nanoparticles

ACS Fall 2021

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