Multidimensional Protein Corona Analysis Toward Predictive Nano-Bio Interface Design.
Nanoparticles entering biological fluids are rapidly coated by proteins and other biomolecules, converting their synthetic surfaces into biologically active nano-bio interfaces. These coronas regulate colloidal stability, immune recognition, cellular uptake, biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, cargo delivery, and toxicity. Yet a protein list obtained by mass spectrometry captures only part of this interface. Corona identity and function are also shaped by protein organization, binding stability, exchange dynamics, conformational changes, and molecular accessibility. Here, we discuss recent progress in protein corona isolation and analysis from a question-oriented analytical perspective, with emphasis on how centrifugation, magnetic recovery, affinity- or chemistry-enabled capture, chromatography, filtration, and field-flow fractionation (FFF) influence the fidelity, integrity, and comparability of recovered coronas. We then examine how proteomic profiling can be integrated with binding measurements, interfacial structural analysis and functional validation to distinguish descriptive corona signatures from biologically meaningful mechanisms. We further consider how biofluid composition, disease state, tissue interfaces and cellular environments remodel corona identity, presentation, and bioactivity. Finally, we argue that standardized reporting, computational modeling, and AI-enabled approaches are essential for converting protein corona datasets into reproducible and predictive knowledge that can guide the design of drug delivery systems and precision nanomedicines.