Targeted delivery via nucleic acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles

Concerning cellular applications, nanoparticles can move exclusively because of their size (up to 100nm) and surface functionality across cell membranes following different routes. Nanoparticles can penetrate cells independently and transport several components across the cell membrane. This efficiency was used for the cellular delivery of materials such as small therapeutic agents or nucleic acids. Nanoparticles such as lipids, silica, metal NPs, and gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are the most common NPs that can be surface-decorated with nucleic acids. AuNPs TO DNA or RNA combinations have been utilized in various medical, diagnostic, or nanoelectronics applications such as biomarkers, molecular imaging, or gene expression regulatory applications. In the light of its possible application in cellular delivery and biomedicine, we focus on the conjugates of AuNPs and nuclear acids in this chapter.