dc.description.abstract | Gold nanoparticles are being used in a myriad of medical and technological applications ranging from diagnostic, therapy agents in medicine, to sensors in telecommunication/auto industry and as sources of catalysts in hydrogen production for alternative sources of energy. Therefore, the production of gold nanoparticles (and nanoparticles of other metals) through green nanotechnology routes will have tremendous implications in a number of fields. In 2008, we discovered an unprecedented approach to Green Nanotechnology via the use of phytochemicals in Soy for the production of gold nanoparticles. This process simply involved mixing of Soy seeds, in water, with gold salt that led to the production of well-defined biocompatible gold nanoparticles (Editor s Choice in SCIENCE, 2008). With this genesis of Green Nanotechnological approach, we have developed numerous processes recently that take advantage of redox properties of phytochemicals in Tea, Cumin, Cinnamon and plethora of herbs, plants, seeds and tree extracts all of which have resulted in the production of gold nanoparticles through interactions of corresponding phytochemicals with gold salt in water. Our research has further probed on the importance of such green nanotechnological processes for the production of cancer specific gold nanoparticles. For example, gold nanoparticles derived from Tea has been shown to have a coating of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), also known as epigallocatechin 3-gallate, the ester of epigallocatechin and gallic acid, and is a type ofcatechin. EGCG is the most abundant catechin in tea and is a potent antioxidant that has well proven therapeutic applications in the treatment of many human disorders and diseases including cancer. EGCG has an excellent affinity toward Laminin receptors which are overexpressed in hormone refractory prostate cancers. MU's process for the production of biocompatible gold nanoparticles has been highlighted in Discovery Channel News and won the award of One of Ten Best Inventions in 2010. Potential Areas of Applications: Medicial diagnostics, Therapy agents in medicine, Reaction catalysts, Many applications in a wide array of fields. Patent Status: Patent pending. Inventor(s): Nripen Chanda, Ajit Zambre, Ravi Shukla, Kavita Katti, Anandhi Upendran, Raghuraman Kannan, Cathy Cutler, Charles Caldwell and Kattesh V. Katti. This presentation was an elevator pitch at the Missouri Technology Expo 2011. | eng |