Hybrid Nanoparticles for Cellular Applications

Artifical nanoparticles of a size and complexity approaching those of several su-pramolecular structures of living systems are being increasingly used as tools for the analysis and manipulation of cells and organisms. This paper focuses on hybrid organ-ic/inorganic nanoparticles of the three most widely used classes, based on their inorganic core: seminconductors, metals and oxides. Their essential properties most relevant to cellular applications are summarised. Current strategies to bring nanoparticles to inter-act with living cells are described, and recent results, both in vitro and in vivo, are illus-trated.