Could targeted, antibiotic-loaded gold nanoconstructs be a new magic bullet to fight infection?

The concept of a ‘magic bullet’ for use in the fight against human diseases as introduced by Paul Ehrlich has inspired generations of scientists to invent potent molecular therapeutics targeting pathogens without harming healthy tissues [1]. Many synthetic compounds have been discovered with cell-structural targets based on the understanding of the interface between chemistry, biology and medicine. Nanomedicine offers the advantage of nanocarriers and nanotechnology to deliver these compounds to sites of pathology with minimum side effects.