Characterisation of the adsorption of biomolecules, or a biocorona, on nanomaterials
has proliferated in the past 10 years, as protein corona studies provide molecular
level insight into mechanisms of cellular recognition, uptake, and toxicity of nanomaterials.
At the crossroads of two rapidly evolving orthogonal fields, nanoscience and proteomics,
the interdisciplinarity of protein corona studies creates challenges for experimental
design and reporting. Here we propose a flexible checklist for experimental design
and reporting guidelines to outline Minimum Information about Nanomaterial Biocorona
Experiments (MINBE). The checklist for experimental design, compiled after review
of reporting within the protein corona literature, provides researchers with prompts
to ensure best practice experimental approaches for each stage of the workflow, collated
from the nanoscience, proteomics, and bioinformatics fields. Reporting guidelines
are also assembled from established sources, integrated to span the entire workflow
and extended and modified to aid interdisciplinary researchers in the most challenging
stages of the workflow. Where appropriate, de novo guidelines to address areas specific
to protein corona studies, including exposure conditions and isolation of adsorbed
proteins, were written. The MINBE guidelines provide protein corona researchers with
a conduit between materials science techniques and proteomics. Implementation of these
guidelines is anticipated to catalyse enhanced quality, impact, and extent of data
mining and computational modelling of protein corona composition and its role in nanosafety
and nanomedicine. Furthermore, high quality experimental design and reporting in the
bio-nanosciences will enhance the next phase of targeted nanomedicines and sustainable
nanotechnologies.