Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences - Department of Laser Application in Environmental, Metrology Photochemistry, Photobiology and Agriculture

In this thesis, metallic nanoparticles coated with folate receptor has been used to study the uptake and targeting of cancer cells. Gold nanoparticles due to new physical and chemical properties have been widely used as nanocarriers for specific delivery of multifunctional chemotherapeutic and contrast agents for simultaneous imaging. This study aimed to attache folate receptor in the form of folate coated gold nanocomposites to improve their intracellular uptake and ability to express and target specific cells. Gold nanoparticle capped with folic acid has been prepared via chemical reduction of gold ions using NaBH4 in presence of folic acid. The obtained particle has been characterized via UV_Vis. absorption spectroscopy, FTIR and TEM. The cellular uptake of folate coated gold nanoparticle was carried out using TEM. The results showed that, folate coated gold nanoparticles can penetrate to the cells much easier than that of gold capped with citrate ions. This indicate that using gold_folate capped might be better selective target for cancer cells than gold itself

Issued also as CD