Chatterjee S., Moriarty G., Gersten B.
Queens College, CUNY, US
Keywords: avidin, biotin, gold nanoparticles
Recently there has been interest in the use of gold nanoparticles as a colorimetric method to detect the hybridization event of DNA [1-4]. The method uses the physical phenomena that nanoparticles of gold exhibits the surface plasmon resonance and it shifts to greater wavelengths upon their aggregation. Since gold nanoparticles with attached DNA are larger then the same particles when they remain uncoated they have a spectral shift which can be measured by absorption spectra in the visible regime. Here we report on the synthesis of gold particles and their spectral shift using avidin-biotin linkers towards the use of these materials in the development of DNA based biosensors. The gold nanoparticles were prepared by the citrate reduction method of HAuCl4 in water. UV-vis analysis of the dispersed colloidal nanoparticles resulted in an absorption spectra at 520 nm. The particles were then covalently functionalized with biotin and the absorption spectra remaining unchanged indicating that the particles did not agglomerate. Upon the addition of the avidin, the gold particles aggregation was apparent from the alteration of absorption spectra. In the future attachment of biotintylated DNA to the avidin can be used for the detection of DNA attachment onto the gold nanoparticle
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Technical Proceedings of the 2006 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: May 7, 2006
Pages: 436 - 439
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Medical & Biotech
Topic: Diagnostics & Bioimaging
ISBN: 0-9767985-7-3