title: Gold nanorods as new nanochromophores for photothermal therapies.
abstract: Results and perspectives on the biomedical exploitation of gold nanorods with plasmon resonances in the near infrared window are reported. The authors describe experimental studies of laser-activated nanoparticles in the direct welding of connective tissues, which may become a valuable technology in biomedicine. In particular, colloidal gold nanorods excited by diode laser radiation at 810 nm were used to mediate functional photothermal effects and weld eye's lens capsules and arteries. The preparation of biopolymeric matrices including gold nanorods is also described, as well as preliminary tests for their application in the closure of wounds in vessels and tendons. Finally, the use of these nanoparticles for future applications in the diagnosis, imaging and therapy of cancer is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Fisica Applicata Nello Carrara, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Madonna del Piano 10 Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy.
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ratto
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matteini
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Centi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000528:radiation effects; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D006046:Gold