NANOCYTES® – Bifunctional core-shell particles

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Scanning electron microscopic image of biodegradable nanoparticles. With these particles active substances can be released in the body for a long period of time.

In nanobiotechnology, "biofunctional" surfaces equipped with biologically active molecules are of particular importance. They fish certain molecules from their biological environment, receive signals or stimulate a reaction. Nano- and microparticles with diameters ranging from 30 nanometers to several 100 micrometers are produced at the Fraunhofer IGB from organic and inorganic materials using the NANOCYTES® technology. The particle nuclei can consist of resistant or degradable materials.

With our NANOCYTES® technology we can couple and immobilize biomolecules such as peptides, antibodies or enzymes to particulate systems in the nanometer range. The basic properties and advantages of the conjugates are based on their small size and the resulting volume-surface effect. Loaded with biomolecules and/or dyes, the particles find applications as carriers for active ingredients in drug targeting, on microarrays or sensors. As selective adsorbers, molecularly imprinted nanoparticles enable new solutions in separation technology.