title: Functionalized gold nanorods for tumor imaging and targeted therapy.
abstract: Gold nanorods, as an emerging noble metal nanomaterial with unique properties, have become the new exciting focus of theoretical and experimental studies in the past few years. The structure and function of gold nanorods, especially their biocompatibility, optical property, and photothermal effects, have been attracting more and more attention. Gold nanorods exhibit great potential in applications such as tumor molecular imaging and photothermal therapy. In this article, we review some of the main advances made over the past few years in the application of gold nanorods in surface functionalization, molecular imaging, and photothermal therapy. We also explore other prospective applications and discuss the corresponding concepts, issues, approaches, and challenges, with the aim of stimulating broader interest in gold nanorod-based nanotechnology and improving its practical application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-Nano Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory for Thin Film and Microfabrication of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.forename: Da-Xiang
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: Cui
keywords: gold nanorods; molecular imaging; photothermal therapy; surface functionalization; tumor