Bio–Nanomaterials: Understanding Key Biophysics and Their Applications

At the interface between nanomaterials and biological systems, an understanding of the interactions between them is of significant interest. Nanoparticles interacting with small organic ligands, therapeutic molecules, proteins, DNA and cell membranes establish a series of nanoparticle/biological interfaces that depend on colloidal forces as well as dynamic biophysicochemical interactions. These interactions could impart unique physical properties to the nanomaterials and at the same time can also regulate biological responses of the bio–nanoconjugates. Studies aimed at correlating the properties of nanomaterials such as size, shape, physicochemical functionality, surface charge, and composition with bio–molecular structure/functionality provides a foundation for rational designing of the next–generation nano tools beneficial for advanced biological/technological applications. In this article, we will present our ultrafast spectroscopic investigations for the understanding of key biophysical processes in the interactions of nanomaterials with different biological systems to provide a perspective on the applications/long–term implications of the bio–nanomaterials in the diverse field of nanotechnology.