Gold nanocages covered by smart polymers for controlled release with near-infrared light.

ABSTRACT: Photosensitive caged compounds have enhanced our ability to address the complexity of biological systems by generating effectors with remarkable spatial/temporal resolutions. The caging effect is typically removed by photolysis with ultraviolet light to liberate the bioactive species. Although this technique has been successfully applied to many biological problems, it suffers from a number of intrinsic drawbacks. For example, it requires dedicated efforts to design and synthesize a precursor compound for each effector. The ultraviolet light may cause damage to biological samples and is suitable only for in vitro studies because of its quick attenuation in tissue. Here we address these issues by developing a platform based on the photothermal effect of gold nanocages. Gold nanocages repres

SUBMITTER: Yavuz MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2787748 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature