Synthesis and Application of Nanoparticles: From Materials to Biology

Abstract

The following dissertation is dedicated to the task of better understanding of the relationship between biology and nanomaterials. Specifically, how to apply biology in ways that will affect and influence nanomaterials, and how to apply nanomaterials in ways that will affect and influence biology will be addressed. The work begins by exploring one the most fundamental of these concepts, seeking to offer a glimpse into how to manipulate one of the most basic units of biology, a peptide, to direct the synthesis and assembly of nanoparticles. Subsequent chapters then proceed to examine other various aspects related to this bio/nanomaterial interface. Materials synthesis and manipulation in both the presence and absence of biology are explored. Chapter II offers an opportunity to explore nanoparticle synthesis in the absence of biology. Magnetic FePt nanoparticles were synthesized from a single-source molecular precursor by sonochemical means. The particles were then well characterized and shown to possess remarkable magnetic properties. Chapter III resumes the bionanomaterial theme by focusing on the design and synthesis of an antigenic mimic of the Ebola virus glycoprotein. Antigen mimicry was achieved by complete mapping and nanoparticle presentation of an Ebola virus glycoprotein epitope. Quantitation of the interaction of this mimic with a monoclonal antibody was then accomplished and compared with similar data from the native protein. Chapter IV continues this study by more intimately examining the interaction between this epitope and antibody. Altered nanoparticle presentation schemes were considered with hopes of achieving improved antigenicity. Chapter V concludes by investigating further a non-specific binding interaction encountered along the way. Additional minor research efforts are then presented in the Appendices.