New methodologies based on the coupling of luciferase with nanomaterials

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2011

Authors

Marques, SM (Author) Other; Joaquim C G E Esteves da Silva (Author) FCUP

Book

Title: Bioluminescence: Characteristics, Adaptations and Biotechnology

Pages: 28-48

ISBN: 9781612097473

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-0GY

Abstract (EN): Luciferase is a powerful tool in bioanalysis. Several well-established methods employ luciferases, particularly firefly and Renilla luciferases, as reporter genes or biosensors in environmental, biomedical and biochemical research. These techniques have interesting features for the analyst such as sensitivity, specificity and reduced assay time. Nanochemistry and Nanotechnology are disciplines that are gaining much attention and evolving rapidly. They allow the development of custom-made nanomaterials with the desired properties, starting from conventional bulk materials. Recently, the coupling of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles and quantum dots with luciferases led to new or improved methodologies for analyte quantification and enhanced gene delivery strategies. One of the principal scopes is to modulate or alter luciferase's bioluminescence emission, either by stabilizing it or tuning it to longer wavelengths. This chapter aims to present state-of-art articles regarding new methods based on the coupling of luciferases to nanomaterials, along with a brief introduction to Nanoscience.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific