Various methods of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) conjugation to antibodies

The unique properties of gold nanoparticles, their rich surface chemistry, and low toxicity as well as easy methods of synthesis have promoted conjugation of the particles with numerous biomolecules for site-specific delivery. Gold nanoparticles have multiple applications including photoablation, diagnostic imaging, radiosensitization, vaccine development, antioxidant, and multifunctional drug-delivery vehicles. These applications require an increasingly complex level of surface decoration in order to achieve efficacy, and limit off-target toxicity. This review will discuss the chemical and physical approaches commonly utilized in relation to surface decoration and the powerful system used to indicate success of the conjugation. Finally, we review the range of recent studies about covalent and noncovalent modes for conjugation of antibodies to the particle surface that aim to advance gold nanoparticle treatments and diagnostics toward the clinic.