Biological and Biomimetic Applications of Nanoparticles

Over the last few decades, nanometer sized particles have been extensively exploited in conjunction with macromolecular species in the development of analytical tools for biological purposes; this trend did not stop through the years. Actually the growing interest and knowledge on nanoscale materials has positively increased the tools available in cell biology, analytical biochemistry, cytohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry. Historically, the major role was played by bioconjugate latex nanospheres1 and gold colloids, 2,3 while more recently low and high nuclearity gold clusters have been exploited. An emerging literature concerns group II-VI and III-V semiconductor nanocrystals bioconjugates, having unique and appealing optical properties. In this overview latex bioconjugates will not be discussed; gold colloids, gold clusters and semiconductor bioconjugates will be described in some detail, with particular attention to gold colloids and clusters.