Molecular-plasmon nanostructures for biomedical application

Abstract

The development of modern nanotechnology opens new opportunities in the design of hybrid structures. This review is devoted to the general view on hybrids, which are based on metal nanoparticles and molecules. Functional properties of nanostructures that have a biomedical application are presented, including singlet oxygen generation for photodynamic therapy, photo-induced heating for photothermal therapy, photo-induced reactions for chemotherapy, luminescent thermometry and surface enhanced Raman scattering for drug delivery control etc. The association of nanostructures into hybrids allows to combine their functional properties and create universal preparations for controlled complex therapy.