Self-assembly of proteins with engineered nanomaterials

To reach and enter cells, engineered nano­materials (ENMs) must traverse the crowded extracellular matrix of biomolecules (e.g., proteins) that may interact with the ENM and even more complex milieux such as mucus and bacterial biofilms. Due to their high free energy, engineered nanomaterial (ENM) surfaces in contact with biological media are rapidly covered by biomacromolecules that form a corona. In general, the nature of ENM surfaces (material character) dictates their fate and effects (biological character) – or, in a biological context, “what the cell sees” during, e.g., drug delivery. This can directly influence their ability to associate with and/or enter cells or cross membranes. Little is known about the make-up nor kinetics of the corona formation on ENMs. We have used fluorescence methods to examine the dynamics of corona formation on model polystyrene nanoparticles. Future work is focused on exploring differences in kinetics and binding affinities in various synthesized and aged ENMs

Cartoon representation of ENM-corona complexes in a biological environment. Reprinted from doi:10.1038/ nnano.2012.237.