Activated Silver Nanoparticle Conjugation Kits

Two different strategies are commonly used for conjugation of proteins to silver nanoparticles, i.e. classic passive adsorption, and covalent conjugation. Cytodiagnostics offers convenient kits for conjugation using either one of these strategies, see product categories below.

The classic passive adsorption strategy utilizes the property of non-functionalized (e.g. citrate coated) standard silver nanoparticles to readily bind proteins when the pH of the solution is at or close to the isoelectric point of the protein to be conjugated. This binding is "non-specific” and is governed by ionic, van der Waals, and hydrophobic forces. Although fairly straightforward, this strategy has several drawbacks such as desorption of the conjugated protein over time, and in some cases, partial denaturation or disturbances to the tertiary protein structure which can impact the gold conjugate functionality. 

In contrast, NHS-activated silver nanoparticles allows for covalent conjugation of a protein while also minimizing many of the drawbacks encountered with the passive conjugation strategy discussed above. In many cases, a silver conjugate with an increased functionality and stability is thus obtained.

Covalent conjugation to NHS-activated silver nanoparticles is achieved by the reaction between primary amines available on proteins and the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester functionalized silver surface. Conjugation is quick and straightforward and only requires mixing of your protein of interest with the pre-activated silver nanoparticles supplied with our kits.

Browse Available Product Categories

Passive Protein Adsorption	NHS-Activated Silver Nanoparticles	Carboxyl Silver Nanoparticles
Methyl (methoxy) Silver Nanoparticles	Biotin Silver Nanoparticles