Interactions of proteins with metal-based nanoparticles from a point of view of analytical chemistry - Challenges and opportunities

Interactions of proteins with nanomaterials draw attention of many research groups interested in fundamental phenomena. However, alongside with valuable information regarding physicochemical aspects of such processes and their mechanisms, they more and more often prove to be useful from a point of view of bioanalytics. Deliberate use of processes based on adsorption of proteins on nanoparticles (or vice versa) allows for a development of new analytical methods and improvement of the existing ones. It also leads to obtaining of nanoparticles of desired properties and functionalities, which can be used as elements of analytical tools for various applications. Due to interactions with nanoparticles, proteins can also gain new functionalities or lose their interfering potential, which from perspective of bioanalytics seems to be very inviting and attractive. In the framework of this article we will discuss the bioanalytical potential of interactions of proteins with a chosen group of nanoparticles, and implementation of so driven processes for biosensing. Moreover, we will show both positive and negative (opportunities and challenges) aspects resulting from the presence of proteins in media/samples containing metal-based nanoparticles or their precursors.