Nanoparticle-modified polyelectrolyte capsules

10 June 2008
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The concept of polyelectrolyte capsules as multifunctional carrier systems is described. The walls of a capsule can be functionalized with fluorescent, magnetic, and heatable colloidal nanoparticles and also biological macromolecules, while its cavity can be loaded with cargo molecules. Potential applications of this carrier system for delivery and sensing in cells are discussed.

The fabrication of functional hybrid materials composed of nanoscale building blocks represents one way in which nanotechnology can contribute to biology and medicine. For example, the synthesis of three-dimensional hollow sphere structures has attracted enormous interest in recent years for a variety of different applications, ranging from drug delivery systems and targeted gene therapy to biosensor devices