The nature of bionanoparticle identity and biological recognition at the nanoscale

Professor Kenneth Dawson,
Centre for Bionano Interactions,
University College Dublin, Ireland

The nature of bionanoparticle identity and biological recognition at the nanoscale

In essence we argue that a more complete understanding of how nanoparticles interact with living organisms requires an appreciation of the molecular arrangements of recognition motifs and architecture at the nanoscale (biomolecular corona) surface. We consider that it is now necessary to develop away from current phenomenological to more microscopic understanding of these biological interactions.

 The concept of biological identity (including ‘biomolecular corona’) of nanoparticles is first summarized in terms of the approach to the cellular membrane (1-3), and then within cells (4).  Besides laying some of the foundations for biological recognition at the nanoscale, we also argue (5) that this level of understanding is necessary  (system by system) before making any broad conclusions about the efficacy or value of classes of nanoscale therapeutics, and avoid unwarranted elimination of many useful directions simply because they were poorly implemented.

We stress the unique opportunity to control (based on such  molecular underpinning) biological interactions provided by the nanoscale, and the potential to support a strong and vibrant nano-therapeutics  platform. 

1. Understanding the nanoparticle–protein corona using methods to quantify exchange rates and affinities of proteins for nanoparticles, T Cedervall, I Lynch, S Lindman, T Berggård, E Thulin, H Nilsson, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 104 (7), 2050-2055
2. Biomolecular coronas provide the biological identity of nanosized materials, MP Monopoli, C Åberg, A Salvati, KA Dawson, Nature nanotechnology 7 (12), 779-786
3. In situ characterization of nanoparticle biomolecular interactions in complex biological media by flow cytometry, MCL Giudice, LM Herda, E Polo, KA Dawson, Nature Communications 7, 13475 (2016)
4. The Intracellular Destiny of the Protein Corona: A Study on its Cellular Internalization and Evolution, F Bertoli, D Garry, MP Monopoli, A Salvati, KA Dawson, ACS nano 10 (11), 10471-10479 (2016)
5. Mapping of Molecular Structure of the Nanoscale Surface in Bionanoparticles, Luciana M. Herda, Delyan R. Hristov, Maria Cristina Lo Giudice, Ester Polo* , and Kenneth A. Dawson*, J. Am. Chem. Soc., Article ASAP, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b12297, December 22, 2016