Synthesis and evaluation of the application potential of ferritin-encapsulated metal nanoparticles

CIC nanoGUNE Seminars

Speaker: Lianbing Zhang, Nanomaterials Group
When: 2012/03/05
12:00
Place: nanoGUNE seminar room, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia - San Sebastian
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Synthesis and evaluation of the application potential of ferritin-encapsulated metal nanoparticles

Catalytic activities form one of major properties of nanoparticles. Some of these activities resemble biological enzymes that fulfill and support the intact biological processes. Pt and PtAu nanoparticles are synthesized with apoferritin as the template. The hybrid composites exhibit catalytic activities of H2O2 decomposition and superoxide-dismutation. These activities are similar with the biological enzymes, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), respectively. In vitro tests in Caco-2 cells demonstrated that these synthesized hybrid materials can functions as catalase and SOD to help the cells to conquer the oxidative stress. As a natural cellular component, apoferritin makes the composite highly biocompatible and enables a tunable cellular uptake of nanoparticles.