FUNCTIONALIZATION OF NANOPARTICLES BY GLUCOSAMINE DERIVATIVES

摘要

The present invention relates to oligomeric or polymeric saccharide derivatives comprising glucosamine moieties, e.g. derivatives of oligomeric or polymeric glucosamines such as chitosan oligomers or polymers, in which one or more amine groups are substituted by anchoring groups that chemisorb to the surface of a nanoparticle or form an interdigitated bilayer with a surfactant layer surrounding the nanoparticle. The invention also relates to functionalized nanoparticles comprising such derivatives, a method for forming the functionalized particles and to uses thereof as molecular imaging agents, biosensing agents or drug delivery agents, or in the preparation of such agents.