Nanomaterial Biofunctionalization

Biofunctionalized nanoparticles have been used in numerous applications, including as molecular probes, to facilitate cell uptake, and to guide nanostructure self-assembly. We have extensive experience in designing solution and substrate based binding assays, and can help design sequences and assay formats for your specific application.  Please contact us for more details.

Oligonucleotides-

Gold and silver spheres can be covalently functionalized with synthetic oligonucleotides. Additionally, oligos can contain other functionalities, including fluorophores, quenchers, and some proteins.

Proteins-

Gold and silver spheres ranging in size from 10 nm to 80 nm can be coated electrostatically or covalently with a range of proteins, including bovine serum albumin (BSA), BSA-biotin, streptavidin, avidin, and goat anti-biotin.

Other molecules-

Nanoparticles can also be covalently functionalized with synthetic peptides and RNA.  Please contact us for more details.

Coatings for Biomolecule Conjugation

At nanoComposix, we realize that many studies require researchers to use their own proteins. That's why we have designed a nanoparticles that are easily conjugated to many proteins using a wide variety of popular reactive groups.

Amine and Carboxyl Groups

Gold and silver nanoparticles can be provided with terminal amine or carboxyl reactive groups which can be conjugated to a wide range of proteins, peptides, and amino acids.

Functional PEG

Nanoparticles can be functionalized with a PEG spacer terminated with a succinimidyl carboxy methyl ester, maleimide, or carboxyl group.

Silica Coatings

Silica

Gold and silver nanoparticles can be coated with a silica shell to stabilize the particles to harsh environments, as well as provide a surface for ligand conjugation. Silica shells from one to hundreds of nanometers thick can be used, and the shell can be provided with or without amine functional groups.

Fluorescent Silica

Fluorescent silica shells can be coated on a wide variety of gold and silver nanoparticles, providing a bright, stable, and readily detectable label for the imaging community.  The silica shell is amine terminated and readily functionalizable using various biolinkers.  The metallic core increases the density of the nanoparticles allowing for the fluorescent nanoparticles to be isolated with centrifugation and to be clearly identified when visualizing with electron microscopy.  PEGylated versions of the fluorescent nanoparticles have been observed to circulate in vivo for over an hour.

Polymer Coatings

Metal particles often need to be functionalized for a number of reasons ranging from being integrated into devices to increasing stability in physiological solutions.  Out nanoparticles can be functionalized with a variety of polymers. Some of the most popular polymers used are polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Whether you need nanomaterials coated in these or other polymers, our expertise in nanotechnology can help create nano solutions for your scientific needs.  Surface charges can be changed, polymers and surfactants can be added for stability, and particles can be transferred to solutions or dried to help your nanomaterial integration.