In this edited book, we highlight the central players in the Bionanotechnology field, which are the nanostructures and biomolecules. The book starts by describing how nanostructures are synthesized and by describing the wide variety of nanostructures available for biological research and applications. Also shown are the techniques used to synthesize a wide variety of biological molecules. Next, there is a focus on the assembly of nanostructures with biological molecules, which could lead to the design of multi-functional nanosystems. In the following chapters, examples of the unique properties of nanostructures are provided along with the current applications of these nanostructures in biology and medicine. Some applications include the use of gold nanoparticles in diagnostic applications, quantum dots and silica nanoparticles for imaging, and liposomes for drug delivery. In the final chapters of the book, the toxicity of nanostructures are described. This book provides broad examples of current developments in Bionanotechnology research and would be an excellent introduction to the field.
CONTENTS Section I. Nanostructure and Biomolecule Synthesis PREFACE ........................................................................................................... vii 1. SYNTHETIC STRATEGIES TO SIZE AND SHAPE CONTROLLED NANOCRYSTALS AND NANOCRYSTAL HETEROSTRUCTURES...................................................................... 1 P. Davide Cozzoli and Liberato Manna Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Colloidal Approaches: A Few General Concepts .............................................................. 3 Size Control .......................................................................................................................... 3 Shape Control ...................................................................................................................... 4 Hybrid Nanocrystals ........................................................................................................... 8 Core-Shell Nanocrystals .................................................................................................... 10 Nanocrystal Hetero-Oligomers ......................................................................................... 12 Hybrid Nanocrystals Based on Rod-Like Sections ......................................................... 14 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 14 2. CURRENT APPROACHES FOR ENGINEERING PROTEINS WITH DIVERSE BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES ............................ 18 Isaac T.S. Li, Elizabeth Pham and Kevin Truong Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 18 Random Mutagenesis ........................................................................................................ 18 Site-Directed Mutagenesis ................................................................................................ 20 Non-Canonical Amino Acid Substitution ........................................................................ 21 DNA Recombination .......................................................................................................... 23 Directed Evolution ............................................................................................................. 25 Fusion Proteins .................................................................................................................. 27 Circular Permutation ........................................................................................................ 27 Conclusions and Perspectives ........................................................................................... 29 CONTENTS xvi Contents Section II. Applications of Nanostructures 3. PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF GOLD NANOPARTICLES .......................................................... 34 Travis Jennings and Geoffrey Strouse Introduction to Gold Nanoparticles ................................................................................. 34 Synthetic Routes of Materials Synthesis ......................................................................... 35 Optical and Electronic Properties .................................................................................... 37 Practical Uses of Gold Nanomaterials ............................................................................. 45 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................ 46 4. MU
