A rational and iterative process for targeted nanoparticle design and validation

The lack of understanding of fundamental nano-bio interactions, and difficulties in designing particles stable in complex biological environments are major limitations to their translation into biomedical clinical applications. Here we present a multi-parametric approach to fully characterize targeted nanoparticles, and emphasizes the significant effect that each detail in the synthetic process can have on downstream in vitro results. Through an iterative process, particles were designed, synthesized and tested for physico-chemical and bio-interactive properties which allowed the optimization of nanoparticle functionality. Taken together all interative steps demonstrate that we have synthesized a multifunctional gold nanoparticles that can detect ERBB2-positive breast cancer cells while showing stealth-like behavior toward ERBB2-negative cells and excellent physicochemical stability.