title: Synthesizing biofunctionalized nanoparticles to image cell signaling pathways.
abstract: This minireview outlines the synthetic efforts, from our research group, to produce nanomaterials for use as imaging agents to study cell signaling pathways. An overview of our approach to the synthesis and biofunctionalization of metal, semiconductor, and ceramic nanomaterials is presented. The probes investigated include coinage metals, Cd-based, Ge(o), naturally occurring fluorescent (NOF) minerals, and Ln-based nanoparticles which were synthesized from novel metal alkoxide, amide, and alkyl precursors. We illustrate the applications of some of these materials as imaging probes to detect signaling pathway components and cellular responses to signals (apoptosis and degranulation) in inflammatory and cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Sandia National Laboratories, Advanced Materials Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA.
authors.forename: Bernadette A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Sanchez
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: Timothy N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Sherrika D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Daniel-Taylor
authors.forename: Janet M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: Bridget S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Diane S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lidke
authors.forename: Nicholas L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D045663:Quantum Dots; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media