Photothermal Genetic Engineering ACS NANO Anikeeva, P., Deisseroth, K. 2012; 6 (9): 7548-7552

Abstract

Optical methods for manipulation of cellular function have enabled deconstruction of genetic and neural circuits in vitro and in vivo. Plasmonic gold nanomaterials provide an alternative platform for external optical manipulation of genetic circuits. The tunable absorption of gold nanoparticles in the infrared spectral region and straightforward surface functionalization has led to applications in intracellular delivery and photorelease of short RNAs, recently enabling bidirectional photothermal modulation of specific genes via RNA interference (RNAi). We discuss recent advances in optical gene circuit engineering and plasmonic nanomaterials, as well as future research opportunities and challenges in photothermal gene manipulation.

View details for DOI 10.1021/nn3039287

View details for Web of Science ID 000309040600002

View details for PubMedID 22954475