Biological Response of Human Cancer Cells to Ionizing Radiation in Combination with Gold Nanoparticles.

In the context of improving radiation therapy, high-atomic number (Z) metallic nanoparticles and, more importantly, gold-based nanostructures are developed as radiation enhancers/radiosensitizers. Due to the diversity of cell lines, nanoparticles, as well as radiation types or doses, the resulting biological effects may differ and remain obscure. In this multiparameter study, we aim to shed light on these effects and investigate them further by employing X-irradiation and three human cancer cell lines (PC3, A549, and U2OS cells) treated by multiple techniques.

A Guide for Using Transmission Electron Microscopy for Studying the Radiosensitizing Effects of Gold Nanoparticles In Vitro.

The combined effects of ionizing radiation (IR) with high-z metallic nanoparticles (NPs) such as gold has developed a growing interest over the recent years. It is currently accepted that radiosensitization is not only attributed to physical effects but also to underlying chemical and biological mechanisms' contributions. Low- and high-linear energy transfer (LET) IRs produce DNA damage of different structural types.

Interfacial Asymmetric Post-Functionalization of Graphene: Amphiphilic Graphene Derivatives Self-Assembled to 3D Superstructures.

The interfacial asymmetric post-functionalization of graphene nanosheets and their self-assembly into superstructures is presented. By performing two sequential functionalizations, graphene nanosheets lying in the interface of a biphasic aqueous-organic system become amphiphilic, thereby generating an organophilic side and a hydrophilic side. The as-prepared Janus type amphiphilic graphene nanosheets are then self-assembled to generate different interesting superstructures, depending on the nature of the solvent in which they are dispersed.