CONJUGATED GOLD NANOPARTICLES

摘要

The present invention relates to methods, compositions, and kits for generating conjugated gold nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of generating unsaturated conjugated gold nanoparticles by mixing naked gold nanoparticles with a first type of attachment molecules at a molar ratio such that the attachment molecules attach to the naked gold particles at a density level below the saturation level of the naked gold particles (e.g., at a saturation level of 1-99%). In some embodiments, a second type of attachment molecules (e.g., with the opposite charge as the first type of attachment molecules) are mixed with the unsaturated conjugated gold nanoparticles to generate double-conjugated gold nanoparticles (e.g., that are zwitterionic).

主权项

1. A composition comprising: conjugated gold nanoparticles, wherein each of said conjugated gold nanoparticles comprise:
a) a gold nanoparticle comprising a gold surface, b) a first type of attachment molecules attached to said gold nanoparticle at a density level below the saturation level for said gold nanoparticle, wherein said first type of attachment molecules have the formula R1-polymer-R2, wherein R1 is a moiety having affinity for said gold surface of said gold nanoparticle, and wherein R2 is a functional group that allows attachment to other chemicals, and/or comprises a targeting ligand, and c) a second type of attachment molecules attached to said gold nanoparticle, wherein said second type of attachment molecules have the formula R3-polymer-R4, wherein R3 is a moiety having affinity for said gold surface of said gold nanoparticle, and wherein R4 is a functional group that allows attachment to other chemicals, and/or comprises a targeting ligand, and wherein either: A) said first type of attachment molecules possess a positive charge and said second type of attachment molecules possess a negative charge, or B) said first type of attachment molecules possess a negative charge and said second type of attachment molecules possess a positive charge.