Biomedical Applications of Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles are the subject of intense studies due to the exceptional photo-optical properties combined with the biocompatibility and has proved to be a powerful tool in various nanomedicinal applications. This book chapter discusses the recent advances and current challenges facing the biomedical applications of gold nanoparticles of various sizes and shapes. This chapter summarizes the applications of gold nanoparticles in biomedical area including diagnostic imaging, biosensing, drug delivery, and photothermal and photodynamic strategies etc. The key advantages of the gold nanoparticles including their ease of synthesis and functionalization together with biodistribution and toxicity has also been discussed.