Project goal will be reached through a work plan of comprehensive investigation relating the structure and functionality of well characterized engineered metal based nanoparticles (NPs) to their specific interactions with sulfur-containing biomolecules.
The specific scientific and technical project objectives:
- Synthesis and full characterization of metal-based nanoparticles with a range of physicochemical properties
- Evaluation of stability and transformations of metallic NPs in various inclusion test media which can alter their chemical and/or structural nature.
- Establishing an understanding of biotic interactions of NPs with sulfur-containing biomolecules within specific simulated experimental and biological matrices.
- Dissolution behavior of NPs in biological matrices rich in sulfur.
- Exchangeability and competitiveness of important sulfur-containing biomolecules on surfaces of metallic NPs in relevant biological matrices.
- Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) approach for evaluation of determinants of nano-bio interface.
Figure: Changes in the structure and function of NPs and proteins caused by events occurring at the nano-bio interface (Capjak I, et al. How protein coronas determine the fate of engineered nanoparticles in biological environment, Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2017 68 245-253)