Indian Scientists Unlock Role of Everyday Molecules in Gold Nanoparticle Behaviour

A research team from the S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has discovered how everyday molecules like amino acids and salts influence the behaviour of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).

The Challenge: Uncontrolled Clustering

Gold nanoparticles are widely used in biosensors, imaging, drug delivery, and optical technologies because of their unique interaction with light.

• Their colour and optical properties vary depending on whether they remain isolated or form clusters.
• While this property makes them valuable in biosensors and diagnostics, uncontrolled clustering has long been a challenge, affecting stability and reliability.

Key Discovery

• Researchers identified how amino acids and salts regulate nanoparticle clustering.
• This finding provides a pathway to control nanoparticle behaviour, ensuring stable and predictable optical responses.

Significance of Gold Nanoparticles

• Size: 1–100 nanometers, with high surface area.
• Applications:
  • Medicine: diagnostics, cancer treatment, drug delivery.
  • Electronics: conductors, sensors.
  • Optical tech: biosensors, imaging tools.
• Unique Features:
  • Variable colour (red, blue, purple).
  • Ability to heat up under near-infrared light, enabling therapeutic use.

Why It Matters

• Could lead to more reliable biosensors.
• Helps in designing advanced diagnostic tools.
• Boosts progress in targeted drug delivery systems.

(Source: DD News)