Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for the separation and purification of proteins and peptides

Nanoparticles have been widely employed for different biomedical applications due to their remarkable chemical and physical properties. The surface of nanomaterials can be modified by functionalization to create a strong recognition and binding sites between biological macromolecules and the nanostructures. Scientists have used this fact in the purification and extraction of bio-macromolecules like proteins, especially using magnetic nanoparticles that can be manipulated by an external magnetic field. The functionalization agents have included synthetic and natural polymers, antibodies, biomolecules or zwitterionic materials, as well as different nanomaterials such as carbon-based nanomaterials and metal oxide nanoparticles. The binding with the target is directly influenced by the size, surface energy and charge of the particles. Hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of the nanoparticles is another important consideration that affects the selective purification of proteins by decorated magnetic nanoparticles.