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Updated: Dec 16, 2025
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Capillary Electrophoresis Mass Spectrometry Approaches for Characterization of the Protein and Metabolite Corona Acquired by Nanomaterials
Published on: October 27, 2020
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Engineering at the nano-bio interface: harnessing the protein corona towards nanoparticle design and function
Rebecca L Pinals1, Linda Chio, Francis Ledesma
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA. landry@berkeley.edu.
The Analyst
|July 2, 2020
Summary
Harnessing the protein corona on nanoparticles offers new ways to control nanomedicine. This review explores how protein adsorption can be managed for improved nanoparticle function and biocompatibility in biological systems.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Protein adsorption on nanoparticles (NPs) is a major hurdle for nanomedicine.
- Engineered NPs offer unique capabilities for biological interaction.
- The protein corona (PC) forms on NPs in biological fluids, altering their behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for controlling protein corona formation on NPs.
- To highlight how the PC can be leveraged to tune NP functionality.
- To discuss the biocompatibility of protein-nanoparticle complexes in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on NP properties influencing protein adsorption.
- Analysis of design strategies for selective protein corona formation.
- Examination of characterization techniques for protein-nanoparticle complexes.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticle properties significantly impact protein adsorption.
- Selective protein corona formation can be engineered.
- Protein corona mediates functionalities like stealth, targeting, and controlled activation.
- Biocompatibility outcomes of protein-nanoparticle complexes in vivo were discussed.
Conclusions:
- The protein corona, though challenging, presents opportunities for designing advanced protein-nanoparticle architectures.
- Exploiting or guiding selective protein adsorption can enhance NP performance in biological applications.
- Controlled protein corona formation is key to improving nanomedicine efficacy and safety.
