A biophysical perspective of understanding nanoparticles at large.

In this article we present a biophysical perspective that describes the fate of nanoparticles in both the aqueous phase and in living systems. Specifically, we show the correlations between the physicochemistry of fullerenes and their uptake, translocation, transformation, transport, and biodistribution in mammalian and plant systems, at the molecular, cellular, and whole organism level. In addition to fullerenes and their structural derivatives, we describe the biological and environmental implications and applications of the condensed matter of carbon nanotubes and quantum dots, and the soft condensed matter of plastic and dendrimers. The main purpose of this article is to demonstrate the vast opportunities and unique advantages of applying experimental and simulation biophysics to the nascent research field of understanding nanoparticles at large.