Optically responsive gold nanorod-polypeptide assemblies

Huang Chiao Huang, Piyush Koria, Sarah M. Parker, Luke Selby, Zaki Megeed, Kaushal Rege

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

Environmentally responsive nanoassemblies based on polypeptides and nanoparticles can have a number of promising biological/biomedical applications. We report the generation of gold nanorod (GNR)-elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) nanoassemblies whose optical response can be manipulated based on exposure to near-infrared (NIR) light. Cysteinecontaining ELPs were self-assembled on GNRs mediated by gold-thiol bonds, leading to the generation of GNR-ELP nanoassemblies. Exposure of GNR-ELP assemblies to NIR light resulted in the heating of GNRs due to surface plasmon resonance. Heat transfer from the GNRs resulted in an increase in temperature of the self-assembled ELP above its transition temperature (T t). which led to a phase transition and aggregation of the GNR-ELP assemblies. This phase transition was detected using an optical readout (increase in optical density); no change in optical behavior was observed in the case of either ELP alone or GNR alone. The optical response was reproducibele and reversible across a number of cycles following exposure to or removal of the laser excitation. Our results indicate that polypeptides may be interfaced with GNRs resulting in optically responsive nanoasssemblies for sensing and drug delivery applications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)14139-14144
Number of pages6
JournalLangmuir
Volume24
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 16 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Spectroscopy
  • Electrochemistry

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