Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Biofunctionalization of Magnetic Nanomaterials
Published on: July 16, 2020
Zwitterionic Modification of Ultrasmall Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Reduced Protein Corona Formation
Karina Pombo-García1, Carmen L Rühl2, Raymond Lam3
1Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01328, Dresden, Germany.
Abstract:
Polyacrylic-acid-coated ultra-small super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were surface-modified with low-molecular-weight sulfobetaines or 3-(diethylamino)propylamine in order to generate nanoparticles with zwitterionic character (ZW-NPs). The ZW-NPs proved highly resistant to serum protein corona formation in vitro, as revealed by atomic force microscopy, SDS-PAGE and proteomics analysis, and exhibited low cytotoxicity towards A431 and HEK293 cells. The presence of unreacted carboxylic acid groups enabled additional functionalization with fluorescent (Cy5) and radioactive [64 Cu-dmptacn; dmptacn=1,4-bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane] moieties. Overall, the ZW-NPs represent promising platforms for the development of new multimodal diagnostic/therapeutic agents possessing "stealth" properties.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Colloidal precipitates
Coagulation

