After ensuring correct fractionation of whole blood through flow-cytometry analysis (Figure ), each blood component was investigated using appropriate protocols and methodologies as detailed in the following section. Briefly, RBC interactions with IONFs were examined by quantifying the total rate of hemolysis after exposure of 30 minutes, 3 hours and 6 hours. The rate of hemolysis (i.e. the release of hemoglobin) was negligible even when using the highest IONF concentration (Figure ). This suggests that RBCs are negligibly affected by exposure to the IONFs at the selected concentrations. The interaction of WBCs with IONFs was assessed using flow-cytometry. Again, a negligible shift in the fluorescence distribution indicates that WBCs are not affected by the presence of IONFs to an appreciable extent (Figure ).