Immobilization of biomolecules on biotinylated magnetic ferrite nanoparticles

We have developed biocompatible ferrite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles whose surfaces are functionalized with biotin molecule. The resulting magnetic nanoparticles with an average diameter of 8 nm have a biotin-anchored morphology, which gives an exceptionally high affinity for the Cy3-labeled streptavidin. The spectroscopic and magnetic data results confirmed the presence of the interaction between biotin-anchored Fe3O4 particles and Cy3-labeled streptavidins. These biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles can be used as a basic protocol for various biological applications, particularly linking molecules together to create signal generation systems. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.