Nanosystems Containing Proteins: From Fundamentals to Applications

Protein-conjugated nanoparticles (NPs) have evolved as important materials for nanobiomedicine, diagnostics, drug delivery vehicles, optical and fluorescent probes, among others. Enhanced bioabsorption as well as clearing from body after performing their job makes protein-based nanomaterials very promising candidates for theranostics. This review highlights different covalent and non-covalent approaches adopted for preparing stable protein-NP conjugates and their different applications. Moreover, the effect of NPs on the conformation of proteins, their folding, fibrillation, and aggregation has been pointed out. This article also underscores the importance of protein-NP corona, critical in finding out good nanocomposites for achieving various objectives. Discussion on metal-free protein-NPs and few atom fluorescent noble metal nanoclusters also emphasizes the ever-growing platter of different nanomaterials to serve the best interest of humankind.