Understanding the factors determining the translocation of
nanoparticles (NPs) across membranes is the key to designing versatile NPs for
applications in nanotechnology and biomedicine. NP functionalization, for
example coating with polymers or ligands, can directly change the NP-membrane
interaction and open a way to control the NP cytotoxicity and translocation.
Now, reporting in Nanotechnology, researchers at the Institute of Chemistry of
the Chinese Academy of Sciences in China have revealed the important role of
grafted polymers on the NP surface in its translocation through a fluidic
membrane channel.