Optically responsive gold nanorod-polypeptide assemblies.

ABSTRACT: Environmentally responsive nanoassemblies based on polypeptides and nanoparticles can have a number of promising biological/biomedical applications. We report the generation of gold nanorod (GNR)-elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) nanoassemblies whose optical response can be manipulated based on exposure to near-infrared (NIR) light. Cysteine-containing ELPs were self-assembled on GNRs mediated by gold-thiol bonds, leading to the generation of GNR-ELP nanoassemblies. Exposure of GNR-ELP assemblies to NIR light resulted in the heating of GNRs due to surface plasmon resonance. Heat transfer from the GNRs resulted in an increase in temperature of the self-assembled ELP above its transition temperature (Tt), which led to a phase transition and aggregation of the GNR-ELP assemblies. This phase tran

SUBMITTER: Huang HC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2888953 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature