Anisotropic Gold Nanoparticle-Cell Interactions Mediated by Collagen

Deciphering the Mechanisms and Biotechnological Implications of Nanoparticle Synthesis Through Microbial Consortia

Nanomaterial synthesis is a growing study area because of its extensive range of uses. Nanoparticles' high surface-to-volume ratio and rapid interaction with various particles make them appealing for diverse applications. Traditional physical and chemical methods for creating metal nanoparticles are becoming outdated because they involve complex manufacturing processes, high energy consumption, and the formation of harmful by-products that pose major dangers to human health and the environment. Therefore, there is an increasing need to find alternative, cost-effective, dependable, biocompatible, and environmentally acceptable ways of producing nanoparticles. The process of synthesizing nanoparticles using microbes has become highly intriguing because of their ability to create nanoparticles of varying sizes, shapes, and compositions, each with unique physicochemical properties. Microbes are commonly used in nanoparticle production because they are easy to work with, can use low-cost materials, such as agricultural waste, are cheap to scale up, and can adsorb and reduce metal ions into nanoparticles through metabolic activities. Biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles provides a clean, nontoxic, ecologically friendly, and sustainable method using renewable ingredients for reducing metals and stabilizing nanoparticles. Nanomaterials produced by bacteria can serve as an effective pollution control method due to their many functional groups that can effectively target contaminants for efficient bioremediation, aiding in environmental cleanup. At the end of the paper, we will discuss the obstacles that hinder the use of biosynthesized nanoparticles and microbial-based nanoparticles. The paper aims to explore the sustainability of microorganisms in the burgeoning field of green nanotechnology.

Strategies Employed to Design Biocompatible Metal Nanoparticles for Medical Science and Biotechnology Applications

The applicability of nanomaterials has evolved in biomedical domains thanks to advances in biocompatibility strategies and the mitigation of cytotoxic effects, allowing diagnostics, imaging, and therapeutic approaches. The application of nanoparticles (NP), particularly metal nanoparticles (mNPs), such as gold (Au) and silver (Ag), includes inherent challenges related to the material characteristics, surface modification, and bioconjugation techniques. By tailoring the surface properties through appropriate coating with biocompatible molecules or functionalization with active biomolecules, researchers can reach a harmonious interaction with biological systems or samples (mostly fluids or tissues). Thus, this review highlights the mechanisms associated with the obtention of biocompatible mNP and presents a comprehensive overview of methods that facilitate safe and efficient production. Therefore, we consider this review to be a valuable resource for all researchers navigating this dynamic field.

AuNP/Chitosan Nanocomposites Synthesized through Plasma Induced Liquid Chemistry and Their Applications in Photothermal Induced Bacteria Eradication

In this work, a facile direct current atmospheric pressure micro-plasma (APM) technology was deployed for the synthesis of functional gold nanoparticle/chitosan (AuNP/CS) nanocomposites for the first time. Different experimental parameters, such as metal salt precursor concentration and chitosan viscosity, have been investigated to understand their effects on the resulting nanocomposite structures and properties. The nanocomposites were fully characterized using a wide range of material characterization techniques such as UV–vis, transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Potential reaction pathways have been proposed for the nanocomposite synthesis process. Finally, potential of the synthesized nanocomposites towards photothermal conversion and bacteria eradiation applications has been demonstrated. The results show that APM is a facile, rapid and versatile technique for the synthesis of AuNP/CS functional nanocomposites. Through this work, a more in-depth understanding of the multi-phase system (consisting of gas, plasma, liquid and solid) has been established and such understanding could shine a light on the future design and fabrication of new functional nanocomposites deploying the APM technique.

Role of Biogenic Capping Agents in the Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Therapeutic Potential

The biomedical properties of nanoparticles have been the area of focus for contemporary science; however, there are issues concerning their long-term toxicities. Recent trends in nanoparticle fabrication and surface manipulation, the use of distinctive biogenic capping agents, have allowed the preparation of nontoxic, surface-functionalized, and monodispersed nanoparticles for medical applications. These capping agents act as stabilizers or binding molecules that prevent agglomeration and steric hindrance, alter the biological activity and surface chemistry, and stabilize the interaction of nanoparticles within the preparation medium. Explicit features of nanoparticles are majorly ascribed to the capping present on their surface. The present review article is an attempt to compile distinctive biological capping agents deployed in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles along with the medical applications of these capped nanoparticles. First, this innovative review highlights the various biogenic capping agents, including biomolecules and biological extracts of plants and microorganisms. Next, the therapeutic applications of capped nanoparticles and the effect of biomolecules on the efficiency of the nanoparticles have been expounded. Finally, challenges and future directions on the use of biological capping agents have been concluded. The goal of the present review article is to provide a comprehensive report to researchers who are looking for alternative biological capping agents for the green synthesis of important metallic nanoparticles.

Green synthesis and characterization of gold-based anisotropic nanostructures using bimetallic nanoparticles as seeds

Nanostructured noble metals are of great interest because of their tunable optical and electronic properties. However, the green synthesis of anisotropic nanostructures with a defined geometry by the systematic nanoassembly of particles into specific shape, size, and crystallographic facets still faces major challenges. The present work aimed to establish an environmentally friendly methodology for synthesizing gold-based anisotropic nanostructures using starch-capped bimetallic silver/gold nanoparticles as seeds and hydrogen peroxide as a reducing agent.

Fuzzy characterization and classification of bacteria species detected at single-cell level by surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Advanced chemometric methods, such as fuzzy c-means, a semi-supervised clustering method, and fuzzy linear discriminant analysis (FLDA), a new robust supervised classification method in combination with principal component analysis (PCA), namely PCA-FLDA, have been successfully applied for characterization and classification of bacterial species detected at single-cell level by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. SERS spectra of three species (S. aureus, E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa) were recorded in an original fashion, using in situ laser induced silver spot as metallic substrate. The detection process of bacteria was isolated inside a hermetically sealed in-house built microfluidic device, connected to a syringe pump for injecting the analytes and a portable Raman spectrometer as detection tool. The obtained results (fuzzy partitions) and spectra of the prototypes (robust fuzzy spectra mean corresponding to each fuzzy partition) clearly demonstrated the efficiency and information power of the advanced fuzzy methods in bacteria characterization and classification based on SERS spectra, and allowed a rationale assigning to a specific group. Also, this powerful detection and classification methodology generates the premises for future investigations of Raman and other spectroscopic data obtained for various samples.

Rapid and Green Preparation of Multi-Branched Gold Nanoparticles Using Surfactant-Free, Combined Ultrasound-Assisted Method

The conventional seed-mediated preparation of multi-branched gold nanoparticles uses either cetyltrimethylammonium bromide or sodium dodecyl sulfate. However, both surfactants are toxic to cells so they have to be removed before the multi-branched gold nanoparticles can be used in biomedical applications. This study describes a green and facile method for the preparation of multi-branched gold nanoparticles using hydroquinone as a reducing agent and chitosan as a stabilizer, through ultrasound irradiation to improve the multi-branched shape and stability. The influence of pH, mass concentration of chitosan, hydroquinone concentration, as well as sonication conditions such as amplitude and time of US on the growth of multi-branched gold nanoparticles, were also investigated. The spectra showed a broad band from 500 to over 1100 nm, an indication of the effects of both aggregation and contribution of multi-branches to the surface plasmon resonance signal. Transmission electron microscopy measurements of GNS under optimum conditions showed an average core diameter of 64.85 ± 6.79 nm and 76.11 ± 14.23 nm of the branches of multi-branched particles. Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy was employed to characterize the interaction between colloidal gold nanoparticles and chitosan, and the results showed the presence of the latter on the surface of the GNS. The cytotoxicity of chitosan capped GNS was tested on normal rat fibroblast NIH/3T3 and normal human fibroblast BJ-5ta using MTT assay concentrations from 50–125 µg/mL, with no adverse effect on cell viability.

In situ based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the fast and reproducible identification of PHB producers in cyanobacterial cultures

The production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by autotrophic fermentation of cyanobacteria has received increasing interest in the light of carbon emission reducing process strategies. Biotechnological approaches are in development to optimize the yield of PHB, including adapted cultivation media, characterized by a limitation of key nutrients: cyanobacteria accumulate PHB as energy storage molecules under limited growth conditions. Since there is an increasing demand for fast, simple and reliable analytics, we report the establishment of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as a suitable monitoring tool for up scaled PHB production processes. Both, pure Ag-colloids mixed with bacterial culture, and in situ prepared colloids (Ag-Synechocystis), generated on the cell surface directly, were successfully applied and evaluated for this purpose. SERS measurements with in situ prepared Ag-colloids improved the reproducibility of Raman signals from 54.8% to 93.9%. The measurement time could be reduced significantly, completing our secondary goal. The quality of classically and in situ prepared Ag-colloids was monitored by zeta potential measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. For data interpretation and statistical model-building an in house written code in the open source software RStudio was implemented. It was applied for the differentiation of PHB producers at the cellular level, revealing heterogeneities within sample groups regarding the PHB amount accumulated. The results obtained using the statistical model were validated as well and were complementary to the reference HPLC analysis. Therefore, a fast and reliable identification in situ SERS tool for the selection of the most promising cyanobacterial PHB production was established.

Extra-Small Gold Nanospheres Decorated With a Thiol Functionalized Biodegradable and Biocompatible Linear Polyamidoamine as Nanovectors of Anticancer Molecules

Gold nanoparticles are elective candidate for cancer therapy. Current efforts are devoted to developing innovative methods for their synthesis. Besides, understanding their interaction with cells have become increasingly important for their clinical application. This work aims to describe a simple approach for the synthesis of extra-small gold nanoparticles for breast cancer therapy. In brief, a biocompatible and biodegradable polyamidoamine (named AGMA1-SH), bearing 20%, on a molar basis, thiol-functionalized repeat units, is employed to stabilize and coat extra-small gold nanospheres of different sizes (2.5, 3.5, and 5 nm in gold core), and to generate a nanoplatform for the link with Trastuzumab monoclonal antibody for HER2-positive breast cancer targeting. Dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, circular dichroism, protein quantification assays are used for the characterization. The targeting properties of the nanosystems are explored to achieve enhanced and selective uptake of AGMA1-SH-gold nanoparticles by in vitro studies against HER-2 overexpressing cells, SKBR-3 and compared to HER-2 low expressing cells, MCF-7, and normal fibroblast cell line, NIH-3T3. In vitro physicochemical characterization demonstrates that gold nanoparticles modified with AGMA1-SH are more stable in aqueous solution than the unmodified ones. Additionally, the greater gold nanoparticles size (5-nm) is associated with a higher stability and conjugation efficiency with Trastuzumab, which retains its folding and anticancer activity after the conjugation. In particular, the larger Trastuzumab functionalized nanoparticles displays the highest efficacy (via the pro-apoptotic protein increase, anti-apoptotic components decrease, survival-proliferation pathways downregulation) and internalization (via the activation of the classical clathrin-mediated endocytosis) in HER-2 overexpressing SKBR-3 cells, without eliciting significant effects on the other cell lines. The use of biocompatible AGMA1-SH for producing covalently stabilized gold nanoparticles to achieve selective targeting, cytotoxicity and uptake is completely novel, offering an important advancement for developing new anticancer conjugated-gold nanoparticles.