Research highlights: comparing the biological response of nanoparticle solid solutions

摘要: Scientific advances in the field of nanotechnology have led to wide-scale use engineered nanomaterials, resulting an increased demand understand biological impact these materials when released environment. This has evolving science focused specifically on interactions at nano–bio interface, where researchers investigate responses a wide range organisms nanomaterials. The majority investigations into interface are response single-phase yet nanomaterials often more complex than nanomaterial. Many can be described as solid solutions (or alloys) multiple types cations (and/or anions) present different ratios, and properties such spin state, valence charge, lattice constant tuned by changing atomic composition. Research must go beyond investigating include systematic approach predict how nanomaterial controlled via changes chemical In this highlight, we focus four publications that experimental methods delineate composed either Au metal or ZnO oxide variety organisms. first highlighted work tunes composition Au–Pt nanoparticles for antibacterial activity. second article investigates reprotoxicity Au–Ag nanoparticles. third shows Fe–ZnO demonstrate reduced toxicity compared ZnO. Finally, fourth study presents silico design strategy cancer specific Together, studies reveal compositions accessible careful modifications compositional phase space result selective interactions.