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Bio‐nano interface and environment: A critical review
Author(s) -
PulidoReyes Gerardo,
Leganes Francisco,
FernándezPiñas Francisca,
Rosal Roberto
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.3924
Subject(s) - nanotechnology , interface (matter) , nano , environmental systems , biochemical engineering , corona (planetary geology) , environmental chemistry , environmental science , chemistry , adsorption , materials science , biology , engineering , astrobiology , ecology , chemical engineering , gibbs isotherm , organic chemistry , venus , sustainability
The bio–nano interface is the boundary where engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) meet the biological system, exerting the biological function for which they have been designed or inducing adverse effects on other cells or organisms when they reach nontarget scenarios (i.e., the natural environment). Research has been performed to determine the fate, transport, and toxic properties of ENMs, but much of it is focused on pristine or so‐called as‐manufactured ENMs, or else modifications of the materials were not assessed. We review the most recent progress regarding the bio–nano interface and the transformations that ENMs undergo in the environment, paying special attention to the adsorption of environmental biomolecules on the surface of ENMs. Whereas the protein corona has received considerable attention in the fields of biomedics and human toxicology, its environmental analogue (the eco‐corona) has been much less studied. A section dedicated to the analytical methods for studying and characterizing the eco‐corona is also presented. We conclude by presenting and discussing the key problems and knowledge gaps that need to be resolved in the near future regarding the bio–nano interface and the eco‐corona. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3181–3193. © 2017 SETAC