Nano Gold and Biomedicine: Scientific Letter

Structures that are biocompatible at nanoscale level are designed by applying nanotechnological developments on biomedicine, thus therapeutic agents are yielded to reach diseased tissues and even cells. Additionally, in nanosystems it is important to have targetable nanomaterials which can be targeted to diseased areas for therapeutic use, low toxicity and high biocirculation are essential in addition to the pharmacokinetic properties. Gold nanoparticles exhibit high selectivity and specifity and appropriate physical, chemical, mechanical, optical and electronic properties for design of nanobiomaterials in the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases when compared to the conventional methods. Gold has been distinguished among the drug and gene carrier platforms recently due to its nontoxic nucleus, surface properties such as charge and hydrophobicity that can be adjusted in monolayer, and ability to bind a number of therapeutic agents and biomolecules in a stable manner to create biocompatible complex structures. The aim of this letter is to shed light on synthesis, surface functionality and potential applications of colloidal gold nanoparticles in biomedicine.