Dear Editor,

Nanosized particulate systems combining better cancer diagnosis with therapeutic effect are being designed based on the merging of nanotechnology with cellular and molecular techniques. The surface of these nanoscale carriers is often functionalized with biological molecules for stabilization and targeted delivery. The combinations of nano-core and associated functional molecules can cross the cell membrane 1, and the surface of nanomaterials (including coating and associated functional molecules) plays a critical role in determining the outcome of their interactions with cells 2, 3. Studying the potential effects of nanomaterials in biological systems often requires the administration of nanoparticles into a cell culture system or into living organisms in vivo. It should be noted, however, that under such conditions nanopaticles are known to adsorb proteins from the biological system, and the resulting heterogeneity in surface proteins may in turn affect the biological effects of nanomaterials 4, 5. To minimize such non-specific effect, in this study we have modified the surface of our nanomaterials with proteins from fetal bovine serum (FBS), a supplement normally used for cell culture. Interestingly, we have recently found that for silane-coated monodisperse magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs), additional surface modification by FBS appears to facilitate particle uptake by cancer cells.

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account
Continue with Google
Continue with ORCiD