Protein adsorption and corona formation on charged graphene quantum dots

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are gaining attention in nanobiotechnology for their potential in biomedical applications, including cellular imaging, drug delivery, and gene targeting. Research indicates that GQDs can be effectively absorbed by both healthy and cancerous cells. However, the interaction between GQDs and complex biological media, such as blood serum, remains less understood. In biofluid environments, proteins tend to adsorb onto nanoparticles like carbon nanotubes, forming a "protein corona." This study focuses on the interactions between proteins and blood serum with negatively charged sodium citrate– and reduced graphene oxide-derived GQDs, as well as positively charged nitrogen-doped GQDs. The research examines protein corona formation and its implications for toxicity, cell internalization, and photoluminescence, aiming to enhance the application of GQDs in medical fields.