Nanoshape Control Tendency of Phospholipids and Proteins: Protein–Nanoparticle Composites, Seeding, Self-Aggregation, and Their Applications in Bionanotechnology and Nanotoxicology

This feature article studies different areas related to phospholipid/protein conjugated nanoparticles ranging from their basic synthetic strategies of shape-directed morphologies to their applications in biodegradable materials and nanotoxicology. Present research and future directions toward environmental impact, nanotoxicology, and protein misfolding diseases have been discussed. Phosphilipids, especially anionic ones, and water-soluble proteins show the significant shape-directing ability of both noble and semiconductor nanoparticles under different circumstances. Protein–nanoparticle composites exhibit the unique behavior of seeding, fibrillation, and self-association with possible relevance to amyloidosis or protein misfolding diseases and on the other hand to the synthesis of biodegradable protein films with potential environmental impact. Metal nanoparticles as model air pollutants with a strong tendency for pulmonary surfactants further help us to understand their potential threat to the human respiratory system in relation to nanotoxicology.