Synthesis of Gold Nanorods for Rapid Cell Lysis
A photon-to-thermal conversion nanosystem has been developed to rapidly elevate temperature in poorly thermally conducting media using irradiation of gold nanorods. We synthesize Au nanorods and study optothermal properties of these nanoparticles. In bulk media, these nanoparticles can easily raise the temperature beyond 100 degree celcius under continuous wave laser irradiation, enabling immediate cell lysis. Consequently, the pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli, within the sample solution are lysed by irradiation of the sample using a near infrared laser. This also results in the successful demonstration of a one step DNA extraction for real-time PCR pathogen detection in a microfluidic chip without removal or changing of reagents.
Collaborators: Prof. Dong Kee Yi @ Kyungwon University
