Influence of metal oxide nanoparticles on structural features of blood DNA and human serum albumin

In recent years nanoparticles (NPs) have been used for various clinical applications including as drug carriers in cancer therapy. However, additional studies are necessary to develop and improve their effects on biological systems. The purpose of this work is to study the interaction of metal oxide nanoparticles (ZnO, CuO, Al2O3) with the blood transport protein human serum albumin (HSA) and with blood DNA under normal and pathological conditions. Additionally, the transport features of NPs through cell membranes will be studied. All experiments will be conducted under different environmental conditions, such as pH, ionic strength, and UVirradiation. The binding parameters (Kb and n) will be determined using spectrophotometric and fluorescence absorption curves. Thermodynamic parameters of complex formation between NPs and HSA or DNA will be determined using calorimetric measurements. The degree of DNA damage in the blood of cancer patients under the influence of NPs and UV-irradiation will be assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The results obtained will help to further improve the biologically active NPs studied, enabling their use in disease treatment, and to determine the optimal conditions for their functioning․