Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Micro/Nano-scale Strain Distribution Measurement from Sampling Moiré Fringes
Published on: May 23, 2017
Multiplexing techniques for measurement of the immunomodulatory effects of particulate materials: Precautions when
Mahmoud Elsabahy1, Karen L Wooley2, Amy Hendricksen3
1Departments of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77842, USA; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt.
Abstract:
Particulate materials at nano- and micro-scales have widespread pharmaceutical and medical applications. Understanding the interactions of these materials with biological systems is crucial for the design of clinically-viable biomaterials of high safety profiles. Immunomodulatory effects of particulate materials can be studied via multiplexing techniques that are capable of measuring up to 500 biomarkers in a few microliters of biological samples. However, there are several challenges towards the use of multiplexing techniques for testing the ability of nanomaterials to induce the release of various biomarkers. As one of the potential challenges, the adsorption of biomarkers on surfaces or within internal structures of nano- or micro-particles has been explored to a lesser extent, although it can lead to biased conclusions and data misinterpretation. Herein, we provide technical details on the use of multiplexing techniques for the evaluation of immunomodulatory effects of nanoparticulates. The same principles can also be applied for the assessment of microparticles. Importantly, precautions to avoid artifacts and data misinterpretation, due to interactions between particles and biomarkers, are provided.
Related Concept Videos
Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
Biological Effects of Radiation
The Nucleosome Core Particle
The paradox
Nucleosomes, paradoxically, perform two opposite functions simultaneously. On the one hand, their main responsibility is to protect the delicate DNA strands from physical damage and help achieve a higher compaction ratio. While on the other hand, they must allow polymerase enzymes to access DNA...
Subatomic Particles
Framing Effects

