An ideal nanoscopic method via optical antenna can accomplish remarkable features in molecular detection such as single-molecule sensitivity and molecular fingerprint mining as non-invasive optical mechanism. However, ideal nanoscopic probes achieving these properties are still beyond current nanotechnology capability, being a bottleneck to practical applications. Herein, we are investigating potential of virus nanoparticles for sensitive molecular imaging probes by being integrated with optical antennae. Looking to the detail of viral capsids finds an ideal morphology of optical antenna which can generate highly amplified optical field. The high geometric resolution of virus structure exceeds current nanotechnology capacities; moreover, viral precise replication in nature extremely surpasses human¡¯s production throughput. In this study, we focus on a successful realization of optical antenna based on natural plant viruses (gold viruses) for molecular imaging as a short term goal; and will further advance gold virus usages as multi-functional nanoparticles executing cell targeting, molecular imaging and extrinsic drug delivery in a cellular system.
Project end date: 08/16/12