title: Plasmonic nanoparticles and their characterization in physiological fluids.
abstract: Nanoparticles possess unique properties beyond that of classical materials, and while these properties can be used for designing a dedicated functionality, they may also pose a problem to living organisms, to human health and the environment. The specific primary routes by which nanoparticles may interact with the human body include inhalation, injection, ingestion and application to the skin. Independent of the entry route, the particles inevitably encounter a complex physiological fluid populated with e.g. proteins, vitamins, lipids and salts/ions. Different consequences of such an encounter may include formation of a surface-bound protein layer, particle dissolution or aggregation, which are expected to have a crucial impact on cellular interaction. Understanding cellular responses to nanoparticle interactions starts with understanding particle behavior in physiological fluids. Nanoparticles are now available in practically any size, shape and functionalization, to promote distinct optical, magnetic, and physico-chemical properties, making the prediction of their behavior, in physiological fluids, not a trivial task. Characterization has therefore become of paramount importance. In this review, we give an overview about the diversity of physiological fluids as well as present an inventory of the most relevant experimental techniques used to study plasmonic nanoparticles.
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Insitute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Dominic A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Insitute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Lorenzo
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Insitute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sandor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balog
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Insitute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Calum
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kinnear
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Insitute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rothen-Rutishauser
authors.affiliation: Adolphe Merkle Insitute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland; Chemistry Department, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland. Electronic address: alke.fink@unifr.ch.
authors.forename: Alke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petri-Fink
mesh_terms: D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles
keywords: Characterization; Microscopy; Physiological fluids; Plasmonic nanoparticles; Proteins; Scattering