Conjugation Chemistry Principles and Surface Functionalization of Nanomaterials

Abstract The (bio)conjugation principles that can be applied to functionalize (nano)materials in the context of biomedical applications are vast. In fact, the (bio)conjugation field has particularly advanced at an astonishing pace in the last decades. Instead of being exhaustive, here we aimed to present the basic toolbox that is currently available to a researcher to move in the (bio)functionalization area, particularly focusing on common requisites of the biomedical applications. Some of these tools are further discussed in the context of the surface (bio)functionalization of self-assembled monolayers because these are frequently used as proof-of-concept model surfaces for detailed studies, prior extrapolation to more complex ones. Finally, we discuss the challenges that lie ahead in the (bio)conjugation field toward achieving more efficient syntheses, the simplification of purification steps and the improvement of the biocompatibility of the final products.