Targeting specific cell organelles with different-faceted nanocrystals that are selectively recognized by organelle-targeting peptides.

Targeting specific cellular organelles is an elusive therapeutic goal that could be achieved by manipulating nanocrystal facets. As proof of concept, different facet-engineered nanonods (high-energy (001) CdS and (001) CdSe, and low-energy (101) CdS and (110) CdSe) exploited selective binding by organelle-targeting peptides and subsequent intracellular protein sorting to inhibit specific organelles without significant cytotoxicity.