Bio-Applications of Calix[n]arene Capped Silver Nanoparticles.

During the 10 last years, there has been a growing interest in calix[n]arene capped silver nanoparticles for their uses in biosensing and much more recently for their intrinsic therapeutic properties. Cost effective, portable and ultra-sensitive analytical tools are one of the major expectations of silver nanoparticles capped with calix[n]arenes. Their uses for detecting a wide range of hazardous molecules and biological compounds by different physical approaches (optical or electrical) are reviewed in depth here. A second part deals with their biological activities. These hybrid nanoparticles have been shown to possess antibacterial properties, and to reach antiviral and anti-cancer targets.