(306a) The Influence of Surface Functionalization on Nanoparticle-Cellular Interactions

Owing to its exceptional antimicrobial activity silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) warrant the significant incorporation in the consumer and medical products to date. However, an important aspect when considering the use of AgNPs in for biomedical applications is the interaction of cells and proteins with nanoparticles. Proteins interact with NPs almost instantly, forming a protein-corona (PC) at the surface of the NPs. This PC remains associated with the NPs under in vivo conditions, thereby conferring the biological identity to the particles. Studies have been conducted on the interaction of NPs with human serum proteins, but there is a lack of information on the fate of these serum-coated NPs and how they interact with the proteins at the cellular level. The study aims to investigate the role of bioactive compounds (Curcumin and EGCG) in the AgNP-protein corona formation and its further interactions with cells. In my presentation I will specifically present the data on synthesis and characterisation of Curcumin and EGCG coated nanoparticles and discuss how these coated nanoparticles interact differently with cells and protein milieu. Further applicability of these bioactive coated nanoparticles for biomedical applications will be discussed.