Biomolekule-Corona of nanoparticles
Recent studies could demonstrate that properties of engineered nanomaterials strongly and rapidly change when brought into contact to biological media. Thus, nanoparticles (NPs) that have been released into the environment may do not have much in common with the pristine NPs. In particular the presence of biomolecules has a considerable influence on particle’s properties despite other factors such as pH and ionic strength. Molecules adsorbed to the NPs’ surface form a biomolecule shell that is named “Corona” and influencing drastically their properties. In particular environmental media such as (surface) waters and soils contain numerous and structurally highly divers compounds such polymeric humic, fulvic, (poly)saccharides, lipids and proteins. So far the mechanisms behind the “eco” or “environmental corona” formation are not well understood in terms of kinetic, dynamic and involved molecular (or particulate) interactions. The understanding of the corona formation is important for the environmental hazard assessment of particles since transport, bioavailability, stability and (eco)toxicity of NPs are directly affected. Thus, the observed behavior of particles might not be an intrinsic (structural), but extrinsic property that is defined by the surrounding media.
Specifically we are investigating the soprtion of selected biomolecules onto iron, cerium, silicium and copper oxide nanoparticles. One key question is whether adsorbed molecules a vulnerable to biodegradation or not.
Out research was support Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the project “Design criteria for sustainable nanomaterials” (BMBF-FKZ: 03X0152).
Read more about this topic in our recent publication:
Docter D.et al. (2015) The nanoparticle biomolecule corona: Lessons learned - challenge accepted? Chemical Society Reviews 44, 6094-6121. Free full text available under: ResearchGate
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Stefan Stolte (stefan.stolte@tu-dresden.de)