There is a growing interest in the use of nanoparticles modified with DNAs, viruses, peptides and proteins for the rational design of nanostructured functional materials and their use in biosensor applications. The challenge is to control the organization of biomolecules on nanoparticles while retaining their biological activity as potential chemical and gene therapeutics. These noble metal nanoparticles/biomolecules conjugates have specific properties and therefore they are attractive materials for nanotechnology in biochemistry and medicine. In this book, the author review work performed dealing with the DNA structure and functionalities, interactions between DNA, noble metal nanoparticles, surface active agents, solvents and other additives. Particular attention is given to how the DNA's chain length and the DNA conformation affect the interaction and structure of the nanoconjugates and nanostructures that are formed. Also discussed are the recent advances in the preparation, characterization, and applications of noble metal nanoparticles that are conjugated with DNA aptamers and oligomers. The advantages and disadvantages of functionalized nanoparticles through various detection modes are highlighted, including colorimetry, fluorescence, electrochemistry, SPR, and, mass spectrometry for the detection of small molecules and biomolecules. The functionalized noble metal nanoparticles are selective and sensitive for the analytes, showing their great potential in biosensing. Furthermore, this book reviews recent progress in the area of DNA-noble metal nanoparticles based artificial nanostructures, that is, the preparation, collective properties, and applications of various DNA-based nanostructures are also described.

There is a growing interest in the use of nanoparticles modified with DNAs, viruses, peptides and proteins for the rational design of nanostructured functional materials and their use in biosensor applications. The challenge is to control the organization of biomolecules on nanoparticles while retaining their biological activity as potential chemical and gene therapeutics. These noble metal nanoparticles/biomolecules conjugates have specific properties and therefore they are attractive materials for nanotechnology in biochemistry and medicine. In this book, the author review work performed dealing with the DNA structure and functionalities, interactions between DNA, noble metal nanoparticles, surface active agents, solvents and other additives. Particular attention is given to how the DNA's chain length and the DNA conformation affect the interaction and structure of the nanoconjugates and nanostructures that are formed. Also discussed are the recent advances in the preparation, characterization, and applications of noble metal nanoparticles that are conjugated with DNA aptamers and oligomers. The advantages and disadvantages of functionalized nanoparticles through various detection modes are highlighted, including colorimetry, fluorescence, electrochemistry, SPR, and, mass spectrometry for the detection of small molecules and biomolecules. The functionalized noble metal nanoparticles are selective and sensitive for the analytes, showing their great potential in biosensing. Furthermore, this book reviews recent progress in the area of DNA-noble metal nanoparticles based artificial nanostructures, that is, the preparation, collective properties, and applications of various DNA-based nanostructures are also described.

Novel nanoscale materials are now an essential part of meeting the current and future needs for clean water, and are at the heart of the development of novel technologies to desalinate water. The unique properties of nanomaterials and their convergence with current treatment technologies present great opportunities to revolutionize water and wastewater treatment. Nanoscale Materials for Water Purification brings together sustainable solutions using novel nanomaterials to alleviate the physical effects of water scarcity. This book covers a wide range of nanomaterials, including noble metal nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, dendrimers, bioactive nanoparticles, polysaccharidebased nanoparticles, nanocatalysts, and redox nanoparticles for water purification. Significant properties and characterization methods of nanomaterials such as surface morphology, mechanical properties, and adsorption capacities are also investigated - Explains how the unique properties of a range of nanomaterials makes them important water purification agents - Shows how the use of nanotechnology can help create cheaper, more reliable, less energy-intensive, more environmentally friendly water purification techniques - Includes case studies to show how nanotechnology has successfully been integrated into water purification system design

Written by the founder of the field, this is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to structural DNA nanotechnology.

Nanobiosensors: Nanotechnology in the Agri-Food Industry, Volume 8, provides the latest information on the increasing demand for robust, rapid, inexpensive, and safe alternative technologies that monitor, test, and detect harmful or potentially dangerous foods. Due to their high sensitivity and selectivity, nanobiosensors have attracted attention for their use in monitoring not only biological contaminants in food, but also potential chemical and physical hazards. This book offers a broad overview regarding the current progress made in the field of nanosensors, including cutting-edge technological progress and the impact of these devices on the food industry. Special attention is given to the detection of microbial contaminants and harmful metabolotes, such as toxins and hormones, which have a great impact on both humans and animal health and feed. - Includes the most up-to-date information on nanoparticles based biosensors and quantum dots for biological detection - Provides application methods and techniques for research analysis for bacteriological detection and food testing - Presents studies using analytical tools to improve food safety and quality analysis

During recent years our enthusiasm for this field has continually increased. This book presents expert contributions describing the fundamental principles for the widespread use of radiative decay engineering in the biological sciences and nanotechnology.

This book discusses fabrication of functionalized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and multifunctional nanocomposites, their optical properties, and applications in biological studies. This is the very first book of its kind to comprehensively discuss published data on in vitro and in vivo biodistribution, toxicity, and uptake of GNP by mammalian cells providing a systematization of data over the GNP types and parameters, their surface functionalization, animal and cell models. As distinct from other related books, Gold Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications discusses the immunological properties of GNPs and summarizes their applications as an antigen carrier and adjuvant in immunization for the preparation of antibodies in vivo. Although the potential of GNPs in nanobiotechnology has been recognized for the past decade, new insights into the unique properties of multifunctional nanostructures have recently emerged. With these developments in mind, this book unites ground breaking experimental data with a discussion of hybrid nanoparticle systems that combine different nanomaterials to create multifunctional structures. These novel hybrids constitute the material basis of theranostics, bringing together the advanced properties of functionalized GNPs and composites into a single multifunctional nanostructure with simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic functions. Such nanohybrids can be physically and chemically tailored for a particular organ, disease, and patient thus making personalized medicine available.

As the environmental impact of existing construction and building materials comes under increasing scrutiny, the search for more eco-efficient solutions has intensified. Nanotechnology offers great potential in this area and is already being widely used to great success. Nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction is an authoritative guide to the role of nanotechnology in the development of eco-efficient construction materials and sustainable construction.Following an introduction to the use of nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction materials, part one considers such infrastructural applications as nanoengineered cement-based materials, nanoparticles for high-performance and self-sensing concrete, and the use of nanotechnology to improve the bulk and surface properties of steel for structural applications. Nanoclay-modified asphalt mixtures and safety issues relating to nanomaterials for construction applications are also reviewed before part two goes on to discuss applications for building energy efficiency. Topics explored include thin films and nanostructured coatings, switchable glazing technology and third generation photovoltaic (PV) cells, high-performance thermal insulation materials, and silica nanogel for energy-efficient windows. Finally, photocatalytic applications are the focus of part three, which investigates nanoparticles for pollution control, self-cleaning and photosterilisation, and the role of nanotechnology in manufacturing paints and purifying water for eco-efficient buildings.Nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction is a technical guide for all those involved in the design, production and application of eco-efficient construction materials, including civil engineers, materials scientists, researchers and architects within any field of nanotechnology, eco-efficient materials or the construction industry. - Provides an authoritative guide to the role of nanotechnology in the development of eco-efficient construction materials and sustainable construction - Examines the use of nanotechnology in eco-efficient construction materials - Considers a range of important infrastructural applications, before discussing applications for building energy efficiency

Thorough and up-to-date, this book presents recent developments in this exciting research field. To begin with, the text covers the fabrication of chiral nanomaterials via various synthesis methods, including electron beam lithography, ion beam etching, chemical synthesis and biological DNA directed assembly. This is followed by the relevant theory and reaction mechanisms, with a discussion of the characterization of chiral nanomaterials according to the optical properties of metal nanoparticles, semiconductor nanocrystals, and nanoclusters. The whole is rounded off by a summary of applications in the field of catalysis, sensors, and biomedicine. With its comprehensive yet concise coverage of the whole spectrum of research, this is invaluable reading for senior researchers and entrants to the field of nanoscience and materials science.

Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) comprise a nanoparticle core and a densely packed and highly oriented nucleic acid shell, typically DNA or RNA. They have novel architecture-dependent properties that distinguish them from all other forms of nucleic acids and make them useful in materials synthesis, catalysis, diagnostics, therapeutics, and optics/plasmonics. This book covers over two decades of Dr. Mirkin’s research on SNAs and their anisotropic analogues, including synthesis and fundamental properties, and applications in colloidal crystallization, adaptive matter, and nanomedicine, spanning extra- and intracellular diagnostics, gene regulation, and immunomodulation. It is a reprint volume that compiles 101 key papers from high-impact journals in this research area published by the Mirkin Group at Northwestern University, Illinois, USA, within the International Institute for Nanotechnology, and collaborators. Volume 1 provides an overview and a historical framework of engineering matter from DNA-modified constructs and discusses the enabling features of nucleic acid–functionalized nanomaterials. Volume 2 covers design rules for colloidal crystallization, building blocks for crystal engineering, and DNA and RNA as programmable bonds. Volume 3 discusses colloidal crystallization processes and routes to hierarchical assembly, dynamic nanoparticle superlattices, surface-based and template-confined colloidal crystallization, optics and plasmonics with nanoparticle superlattices, and postsynthetic modification and catalysis with nanoparticle superlattices. Volume 4 covers diagnostic modalities, and intracellular therapeutic and diagnostic schemes based upon nucleic acid–functionalized nanomaterials.