The Integration and Interaction of Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles with Model Phospholipid Membranes

The cell is a microscopic building block of the human body, and approximately 30 trillion cells exist in any single person. At the beginning of life, pluripotent stem cells divide to fulfill vastly diverse functions, forming neural cells in the brain, cardiomyocytes in the contractile heart, and adipocytes for insulative fat. Though different in purpose, these cells are protected by a cell membrane, which is the gateway to accessing their interiors. In fact, many ailments of the human body can be traced to cellular degeneracies and pathogenic disruption and can only be addressed by penetrating this cellular barrier. With the advent of engineered nanomaterials for therapeutic treatments, it is vital to understand how these small particles can interact with the cell membrane to adequately diagnose diseases and treat the underlying ailments. In this dissertation, the interactions of gold nanoparticles with phospholipid membrane models are reviewed and studied. From the introduction of these nanomaterials to the membrane environment, to their embedding within the membrane core, these findings reveal new insight into the intermolecular forces which dictate particle interactions with the cell membrane. Experimental techniques within model membrane platforms are also developed which benefit the evaluation of diverse classes of nanomaterials. Above all, the work herein demonstrates how broad biological diversity can impact nanoparticle behavior and influence their therapeutic and toxicological effects.