Synchrotron radiation-based analysis of interactions at the nano–bio interface

Abstract

It is essential to study nano–bio interactions for nanosafety evaluation and nanomedicine development, but limited information is available on nano–bio interfacial interactions and their underlying mechanisms. The interaction of nanomaterials (NMs) with the biological system is complex and involves various physicochemical events at different levels. The conventional methods fail to study the in situ behavior and fate of NMs and cannot acquire enough physicochemical information. Advanced synchrotron radiation (SR)-based techniques can help systematically understand nano–bio interactions, i.e., a series of physical and chemical reactions at the biomolecular surface that dictate the fate of NMs in a biological system. It has been established that biomolecules rapidly adsorb on the surface of administered NMs and form a biomolecular corona. The adsorbed biomolecular corona changes the surface properties of NMs that may interfere with their intended functionalities. In this review, we incorporate SR-based methodologies to obtain insight into the detailed mechanism of nano–bio interactions. A deeper understanding of nano–bio interactions can help better investigate biological responses and promote the rational design of efficient nanomedicine. These techniques have broad applications in other fields of the life sciences and the environmental sciences.