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Aim: Oral and intramuscular sustained-release antiretroviral solid drug nanoparticles (SDNs) are in development but there is limited understanding of whether nanoparticles or dissolved drug predominate systemically. Materials & methods: A flow cytometric method was developed to analyze SDNs in biological fluids such as plasma, including the putative formation of a protein corona. Results: SDNs were found to be stable in plasma and could be observed using the techniques developed here. In addition, transferrin, fibrinogen and albumin were found to be associated with SDNs upon incubation. Conclusion: This methodology has enabled us to determine protein interactions of SDNs in solution without the requirement of separation from the matrix. This will enable further studies of their biological fate. Original submitted 12 February 2014; Revised submitted 10 April 2014

Aim: To investigate interactions of gold nanoparticles with primary human lymphocytes and determine if the addition of a self-assembled monolayer of ‘mixed-matrix’ ligands influenced these interactions. Materials & methods: The effect of gold nanoparticles was measured by exposure to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy volunteers with subsequent examination of cell proliferation, cytokine secretion and CD4+ T-cell activation relative to controls. Results: Capped and as-synthesized gold nanoparticles augmented PBMC proliferation in response to phytohemagglutinin and this effect was greater for as-synthesized than for capped gold nanoparticles. Release of IL-10 and IFN-γ from PBMCs was increased and the effect was again more marked for as-synthesized than capped gold nanoparticles. Conclusion: This method provides an ex vivo approach for studying the interaction of nanoparticles with the human immune system. Further research is required to determine the specific mechanisms for reduction of immune activation seen here which could then be used to design a truly ‘stealth’ nanoparticle. Original submitted 11 October 2013; Revised submitted 30 January 2014

Nanomedicine 2014 Edinburgh, UK, 26–27 March 2014 The British Society for Nanomedicine (BSNM) [ 1 ], in collaboration with SELECTBIO, organized Nanomedicine 2014. BSNM is a registered charity created to allow open access for industry, academia, clinicians and the public to news and details of ongoing nanomedicine research. The Nanomedicine 2014 program provided insight across a number of emerging nanotechnologies spanning treatment to diagnostics. A key objective of the meeting was provision of opportunities to build collaborations and rationalize nanoenabled healthcare solutions.