Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely used in chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine. Recent advances in their synthesis, bioconjugation, and cellular applications have led to highly sensitive and selective assays. These materials are now being explored for therapeutic uses, including gene regulation, drug delivery, imaging, and photoresponsive therapies. Gold nanoconjugates can enter living cells when functionalized with appropriate surface moieties, opening new avenues in nanoparticle research. This review discusses the current status of gold nanoconjugates for cellular and therapeutic applications, focusing on surface functionalization with citrate, amines, nucleic acids, peptides, antibodies, and lipids. Each section covers chemical synthesis, physical and chemical properties, and applications in cells. Key challenges and open questions in the field are also addressed. The review highlights the potential of gold nanoconjugates in biomedical applications, including gene transfection, drug delivery, intracellular detection, RNA interference, and photothermal therapy. The toxicity of gold nanoconjugates is also discussed, with findings indicating that their toxicity depends on surface ligands and particle size. Overall, gold nanoconjugates show promise as therapeutic agents due to their unique properties and potential for targeted delivery.Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely used in chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine. Recent advances in their synthesis, bioconjugation, and cellular applications have led to highly sensitive and selective assays. These materials are now being explored for therapeutic uses, including gene regulation, drug delivery, imaging, and photoresponsive therapies. Gold nanoconjugates can enter living cells when functionalized with appropriate surface moieties, opening new avenues in nanoparticle research. This review discusses the current status of gold nanoconjugates for cellular and therapeutic applications, focusing on surface functionalization with citrate, amines, nucleic acids, peptides, antibodies, and lipids. Each section covers chemical synthesis, physical and chemical properties, and applications in cells. Key challenges and open questions in the field are also addressed. The review highlights the potential of gold nanoconjugates in biomedical applications, including gene transfection, drug delivery, intracellular detection, RNA interference, and photothermal therapy. The toxicity of gold nanoconjugates is also discussed, with findings indicating that their toxicity depends on surface ligands and particle size. Overall, gold nanoconjugates show promise as therapeutic agents due to their unique properties and potential for targeted delivery.