What are the Biomedical Applications of Gold Nanoshells?
In the biomedical field, gold nanoshells are primarily used for cancer treatment and diagnostics. Their ability to absorb NIR light allows them to be used in photothermal therapy, where they are injected into the body and accumulate in tumor tissues. When exposed to NIR light, the nanoshells generate heat, effectively destroying cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Additionally, their scattering properties make them excellent contrast agents for imaging techniques like optical coherence tomography (OCT).