Micro-optical coherence tomography tracking of magnetic gene transfection via Au–Fe3O4 dumbbell nanoparticles

Abstract

Heterogeneous Au–Fe₃O₄ dumbbell nanoparticles (NPs) are composed of Au NPs and Fe₃O₄ NPs that bring in optical and magnetic properties respectively. This article reports the engineering of Au–Fe₃O₄ NPs as gene carriers for magnetic gene transfection as well as contrast agents for micro-optical coherence tomography (μOCT). As a proof-of-concept, Au–Fe₃O₄ NPs are used to deliver the green fluorescent protein to HEK 293T cells and their entrance into the cells is monitored through μOCT.