This fully updated volume presents a wide range of methods for synthesis, surface modification, characterization and application of nano-sized materials (nanoparticles) in the life science and medical fields, with a focus on drug delivery and diagnostics. Beginning with a section on the synthesis of nanoparticles and their applications, the book continues with detailed chapters on nanoparticle derivatization, bio-interface, and nanotoxicity, as well as nanoparticle characterization and advanced methods development. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Procedures for the Synthesis and Capping of Metal Nanoparticles.- Antimicrobial Applications of Silver Nanoparticles to E. coli Colony Biofilms.- Elastin-Based Antimicrobial Particles for Delivery of Bioactive Compounds.- Biomimetic Lipid Polymer Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery.- Crotamine Cell-Penetrating Nanocarriers: Cancer-Targeting and Potential Biotechnological and/or Medical Applications.- Preparation of Lipid:Peptide:DNA (LPD) Nanoparticles and Their Use for Gene Transfection.- Preparation of Hyaluronic Acid-Based Nanoparticles for Macrophage-Targeted MicroRNA Delivery and Transfection.- Formulation and Characterization of Antithrombin Perfluorocarbon Nanoparticles.- Biomedical In Vivo studies with ORMOSIL Nanoparticles Containing Active Agents.- Preparation of Spray-Dried Nanoparticles for Efficient Drug Delivery to the Lungs.- Synthesis and Evaluation of Airway-Targeted PLGA Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery in Obstructive Lung Diseases.- Synthesis and Evaluation of Dendrimers for Autophagy Augmentation and Alleviation of Obstructive Lung Diseases.- Synthesis of Poly (2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) (PHEMA)-Based Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications.- The Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Peptides on Gold Nanosurfaces.- Protein Immobilization on Gold Nanoparticles: Quantitative Analysis.- Oriented Immobilization on Gold Nanoparticles of a Recombinant Therapeutic Zymogen.- Directed and Modular Protein Immobilization on Gold and Silver Nanoparticles.- In Vitro Labeling Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Efficacy and Cytotoxicity.- RNA Quantification Using Noble Metal Nanoprobes: Simultaneous Identification of Several Different mRNA Targets Using Color Multiplexing and Application to Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Diagnostics.- Assessment of Toxicity of Nanoparticles Using Insects as Biological Models.- Absolute Quantification of Gold Nanoparticles with Femtomolar AccuracyUsing Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy.- NanoParticle Tracking Analysis for the Multiparameter Characterization and Counting of Nanoparticle Suspensions.- Nanoparticle Bridges for Studying Electrical Properties of Organic Molecules and Gas Sensor Applications.- Nanoparticle Characterization through Nano-Impact Electrochemistry: Tools and Methodology Development.- Photostability of Semiconductor Quantum Dots in Response to UV Exposure.- Gold Nanoclusters, Gold Nanoparticles, and Analytical Techniques for Their Characterization.- Combining Nanoparticles with Colloidal Bubbles: A Short Review.- Combination of Dark-Field and Confocal Microscopy for the Optical Detection of Silver and Titanium Nanoparticles in Mammalian Cells.- Detection of Silver and TiO2 Nanoparticles in Cells by Flow Cytometry.