The versatility of these nanoparticles for surface chemistry enables the controlled conjugation of the nanoparticles with various biomolecules (such as antibodies or nucleic acids). Furthermore, gold nanoparticles can be detected using a wide variety of analytical techniques (fluorescence, optical absorption, electrical conductivity, among others) due to their physical properties. All of this has contributed to nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugates becoming important platforms for the development of new nanobiosensors.
Mitchell holds a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry and an MSci. in Chemistry with a focus on Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Glasgow (Scotland). In 2012, he received a Marie Curie Fellowship to research nanohybrid materials based on polyoxometalates and metal nanoparticles. He is currently researching engineered hybrid nanomaterials and functional molecular devices for biological and medicinal applications.
Polo holds a Ph.D. in Science, a Master’s in Molecular and Cellular Biology, and a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry from the University of Zaragoza. She has researched the characterization of different types of metal nanoparticles and their functionalization, as well as various types of surfaces with diverse biomolecules (antibodies, enzymes, carbohydrates, toxins) for their application in nanomedicine.