The Inorganic Nanoparticles group works on the synthesis, characterization and bio-applications of engineered inorganic nanoparticles (NP). We understand that the inorganic NP during its synthetic process or when exposed to the working environment are coated with organic molecules. This fact can be exploited to control the size, structure and shape of the inorganic core, their stability and the minimal interparticle distance upon collapse. On the other side, the fact of linking an active molecule to an inorganic surface, while still in solution, allows to modify the molecule activity. Therefore, the design of NP - organic molecule conjugates pretends to take advantage of both, controlled properties of the inorganic core and controlled properties of the coating molecules. In such scenario one can use the magnetic, optical, electrical or structural properties of an inorganic core which interacts with the environment through its organic coating. Thus NP conjugates can be shipped into cells to do or to witness and report things.
We have extended experience with cobalt and gold nanoparticles (as Ni, Fe2O3, Ag, CoO…) and its respective magnetic and optical properties which we want to use to detect and manipulate biological states. We work with polipeptides and proteins as the interface between the inorganic core and the biological systems. Up to now, we have work with bacteria, tumoral and primary immune cells, targeting cancer and Alzheimer as playgrounds where to develop the full potentiality on these NP conjugates.
For more information contact Victor F. Puntes (Victor.puntes.icn (at) uab.es)