Screening the biointeractions of submicron sized particles intended for site-specific delivery using surface plasmon resonance

In recent years considerable interest has developed in the exploitation of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems for a number of potential therapeutic applications. This has led colloid scientists to develop a variety of meth ods of biomedical surface engineering to tailor nanoparticles for particula r delivery routes. However, in order to test the efficacy of such delivery avenues, an in vivo model is often required. Here we show how surface plasm on resonance (SPR) can be used to monitor specific interactions between col loidal particles and model surfaces where the colloid interface has been mo dified to minimize biointeractions or to promote selective interactions. Su ch procedures suggest that SPR may be used as an initial screening tool to ascertain the performance of such therapeutic systems in vitro before the n eed for in vivo experimentation. (C) 1999 Academic Press.