Nanobio-interactions of graphene oxide: Understanding the impacts of material processing on hemolysis and protein corona formation

• Grant number: 25/02310-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Diego Stéfani Teodoro Martinez
• Grantee: Mateus Pereira Teles
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) has been explored for several applications, from biomedicine and pharmaceutical products to environmental remediation and electronic devices. Given the growing interest in GO by industries and research around the world, it is essential to consider the environmental health and safety aspects towards sustainable innovations. Therefore, a research priority in the field of nanomaterials is developing safe-by-design approaches. The GO properties are strongly influenced by their synthesis and processing methods, which also affect its applications. However, only a limited number shows the effect of material processing on biological systems. It is crucial therefore to understand how GO material processing can be linked to nanobiointeractions, toxicity and safety. Besides, the properties of nanomaterials can modulate biomolecular corona formation, and the biomolecular coronas are known to influence the toxicity of nanomaterials. This study aims to systematically characterize and evaluate the physicochemical and biological effects of GO considering two material processing methods (dispersion/sonication and drying/lyophilization) linked to their impacts on red blood cells (hemolysis and morphology changes) and interactions with human blood plasma (protein corona formation). Therefore, this project will contribute to the field of nanomaterial science and toxicology by advancing on the understanding of relationship between GO processing methods and toxicity towards harmonization and standardization of protocols for nanosafety research. (AU)