Recent Developments in the Use of Glyconanoparticles and Related Quantum Dots for the Detection of Lectins, Viruses, Bacteria and Cancer Cells

Carbohydrate-coated nanoparticles—glyconanoparticles—are finding increased interest as tools in biomedicine. This compilation, mainly covering the past five years, comprises use of gold, silver and ferrite (magnetic) nanoparticles, silicon-based cadmium-based quantum dots. Applications detection lectins/protein toxins, viruses bacteria are covered, well advances cancer cells. The role carbohydrate moieties stabilising nanoparticles providing selectivity bioassays is discussed, issue cytotoxicity encountered some systems, especially semiconductor dots, also considered. Efforts to overcome latter problem by using other types based on gold or silicon, presented.