Recent Developments in the Use of Glyconanoparticles and Related Quantum Dots for the Detection of Lectins, Viruses, Bacteria and Cancer Cells

Carbohydrate-coated nanoparticles-glyconanoparticles-are finding increased interest as tools in biomedicine. This compilation, mainly covering the past five years, comprises the use of gold, silver and ferrite (magnetic) nanoparticles, silicon-based and cadmium-based quantum dots. Applications in the detection of lectins/protein toxins, viruses and bacteria are covered, as well as advances in detection of cancer cells. The role of the carbohydrate moieties in stabilising nanoparticles and providing selectivity in bioassays is discussed, the issue of cytotoxicity encountered in some systems, especially semiconductor quantum dots, is also considered. Efforts to overcome the latter problem by using other types of nanoparticles, based on gold or silicon, are also presented.

Automated summary

Carbohydrate-coated nanoparticles, specifically glyconanoparticles, have garnered increased interest as biomedical tools in the past five years. This review focuses on the use of gold, silver, and ferrite nanoparticles, as well as silicon-based and cadmium-based quantum dots. Applications include detecting lectins/protein toxins, viruses, bacteria, and cancer cells, with discussions on the role of carbohydrate moieties in stabilizing nanoparticles and providing selectivity in bioassays, as well as efforts to overcome cytotoxicity issues encountered in some systems, particularly semiconductor quantum dots, by using other types of nanoparticles such as gold or silicon-based ones.