Efficient delivery of siRNAs by a photothermal approach using plant flavonoid-inspired gold nanoshells.

Polymer gold nanoshells (PGNs) are prepared by a novel plant-inspired flavonoid surface modification method. The PGNs show dramatic photothermal properties, which can facilitate the endosomal escape and delivery of siRNA into the cytoplasm of cells. Efficient gene silencing has been achieved using siRNA immobilized PGNs, suggesting the potential applications of in vitro gene regulation by an external NIR stimulus.