title: Nano-assembly of nanodiamonds by conjugation to actin filaments.
abstract: Fluorescent nanodiamonds (NDs) are remarkable objects. They possess unique mechanical and optical properties combined with high surface areas and controllable surface reactivity. They are non-toxic and hence suited for use in biological environments. NDs are also readily available and commercially inexpensive. Here, the exceptional capability of controlling and tailoring their surface chemistry is demonstrated. Small, bright diamond nanocrystals (size ˜30 nm) are conjugated to protein filaments of actin (length ˜3-7 µm). The conjugation to actin filaments is extremely selective and highly target-specific. These unique features, together with the relative simplicity of the conjugation-targeting method, make functionalised nanodiamonds a powerful and versatile platform in biomedicine and quantum nanotechnologies. Applications ranging from using NDs as superior biological markers to, potentially, developing novel bottom-up approaches for the fabrication of hybrid quantum devices that would bridge across the bio/solid-state interface are presented and discussed.
authors: ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQuS), Department of Physics and Astronomy, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Bradac
authors: Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
authors: Jana M
authors: JM
authors: Say
authors: Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
authors: Ishan D
authors: ID
authors: Rastogi
authors: Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
authors: Nicole M
authors: NM
authors: Cordina
authors: ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQuS), Department of Physics and Astronomy, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Volz
authors: Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia. louise.brown@mq.edu.au.
authors: Louise J
authors: LJ
authors: Brown
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D058612:Nanodiamonds / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D058612:Nanodiamonds
keywords: bioconjugation; fluorescent nanodiamond; hybrid quantum devices; self-assembly; specific binding