Biochemical surface functionalization of iron oxide for efficient biomarker detector: A new visions of nano-bio interactions

The utilization of nanomaterials and their compatibility with biological systems have become major concern for the researcher. In this particular study, Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using both green chemistry and chemical-reduction precipitation methods. The biological Fe2O3 NPs were well characterized and found to have a size of 23.01 nm, while the chemical Fe2O3 NPs had a size of 40.80 nm. Stable Fe2O3 NPs were allowed to interact with the serum of cancer patients for different time intervals (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h). The chemical Fe2O3 NPs yielded 41 differentially expressed proteins, whereas the biological Fe2O3 NPs yielded 103. Through proteomics algorithms, a deeper understanding of the obtained proteins revealed the presence of domains and motifs that are primarily associated with the onset of oncogenesis. Notably, key oncogenic and onco-histone protein domains such as PLEC, DEXDc, H2A, and H2B were specifically and uniquely present in the biologically prepared Fe2O3 NP. In conclusion, the efficient use of biological Fe2O3 NPs demonstrated significant potential in adsorbing proteins and peptides, which could be utilized in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.