Gold nanoparticles for regulation of cell function and behavior

•Living cells are sensor/actuator entities that perceive and process chemical and physical stimuli by receptor-mediated cell signaling, which in turn modulates cellular function and behavior.•Gold nanoparticles and gold nanostructured substrates have unique chemical and physical properties that allow targeted modulation of cell receptor function at the nanoscale.•Multifunctional gold-based nanodevices enable biochemical, plasmonic (e.g. optothermal) and electrical manipulation of cell activities at the nanoscale.