Gold nanoparticles have attractive optical properties, and can be used in various biomedical applications, such as biomedical imaging and cancer treatment. Due to the high surface to volume ratio of the nanoparticles, protein adsorption in biological media is expected, forming a new interface known as the �protein corona�. Furthermore, protein adsorption to the nanoparticles could result in protein structural/functional changes due to possible unfolding or misfolding on the nanoscale surface. In this study, we investigate the interaction of a model protein, bovine serum albumin to gold nanoparticle surfaces as a function of particle size, shape, and surface charge using different analytical techniques such as UV-absorption, fluorescence quenching, and calorimetry. Our results show strong association constants between proteins and nanoparticles, which are dependent on charge and particle curvature. The thermodynamic and kinetic results from these studies will provide a better understanding of the interaction of nanoparticles with proteins in biological media.

Thermodynamic, kinetic, and structural study of the adsorption of bovine serum albumin to the surface of gold nanoparticles

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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