Biomimetic gold nanoparticles

Bionics, involving biologically inspired structures and functions, applies the technology of lifeforms to manufactured objects. Synthesizing, modifying, and assembling gold nanoparticles (GNPs) utilizing biomolecules or biological ordered structures not only provide GNPs desirable biosafety and long-time circulation in vivo, but also offer them unique and superior performance in diagnosis and therapy. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the biosynthesis methods of GNPs inspired by marine mussel-imitated dopamine and its derivatives, the biomimetic surface modification of GNPs by various membranes, proteins, and peptides, and the assembly of GNPs on bioinspired template such as butterfly wing and nacre. The current biomedical applications using these biomimetic systems in catalysis, diagnosis, and drug delivery are also discussed, which provide understandings to the present GNP-based bioinspired nanomaterials and insights into the disciplines how to learn from nature.