Interaction of nanomaterials with biological molecules: Manganese and dopamine

We present here the results of first principles study on the interaction of a Mn
₁₃
cluster with a dopamine molecule, an important biomolecule functioning as a neurotransmitter or a neurohormone in the living body. It is found that the dopamine strongly binds to the Mn cluster through co-ordinated covalent bond. This finding confirms the observation of dopamine depletion in the presence of Mn nanoparticles.