title: Synthesis and surface functionalization of silica nanoparticles for nanomedicine.
abstract: There are a wide variety of silica nanoformulations being investigated for biomedical applications. Silica nanoparticles can be produced using a wide variety of synthetic techniques with precise control over their physical and chemical characteristics. Inorganic nanoformulations are often criticized or neglected for their poor tolerance; however, extensive studies into silica nanoparticle biodistributions and toxicology have shown that silica nanoparticles may be well tolerated, and in some case are excreted or are biodegradable. Robust synthetic techniques have allowed silica nanoparticles to be developed for applications such as biomedical imaging contrast agents, ablative therapy sensitizers, and drug delivery vehicles. This review explores the synthetic techniques used to create and modify an assortment of silica nanoformulations, as well as several of the diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, 9500 Oilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0358, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liberman
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, 9500 Oilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0358, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mendez
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Oilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0358, USA.
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Trogler
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Oilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0358, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Kummel
keywords: Ablative technology; Biodistribution; Biomedical imaging; Nanoparticles; Silica; Toxicology