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Progress and Future Directions for Protein Corona Research
1Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina27708, United States.
Abstract:
The protein corona refers to the proteins that adsorb on the surface of nanoparticles (NPs) exposed to biological environments. The protein adsorption process is governed by kinetics and thermodynamics, determined by the specific features of the NPs, proteins, and the methods used to form and isolate the corona. NPs are described by an inter-related list of features including core material, surface ligands, diameter, and zeta potential. Proteins are described by many features reflecting size, structure, and sequence. The methods used to form and isolate the protein corona include how the NPs and proteins are combined and separated. The protein corona is often characterized by concentration, the amount of protein adsorbed on the NP, and composition, the inventory of proteins present in the corona. Determining the composition of the protein corona is the first step in understanding the underlying chemistry, physics, and biology that governs this nano-bio interaction. This review will first discuss the NP, protein, and experimental details that control the formation of the protein corona with a focus on unexpected details. I then discuss the biological complexity that impacts protein corona experiments. This includes the inherent complexity of biological fluids used to form the protein corona, the evolution of the corona as it moves through a biological system, and the influence of disease state on the protein corona. Corona formation depends on a highly multidimensional experimental space that lends itself to the tools of machine learning. We highlight our work in this area with modest success predicting the protein corona and point toward limitations in this area related to data sharing and overall goals in the field. In addition to this fundamental research on the nano-bio interface, two applications in protein corona research are discussed: the use of the protein corona as a diagnostic tool and corona-driven in vivo responses. In addition, I hope to highlight the value of in-person discussions for scientific progress.
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