Many applications of nanomedicines depend on the therapeutic gaining access to the interior of cells. As most proteins and nanoparticles are taken up by endocytosis, determining the properties of nanoparticles that govern uptake is essential. In this review, we examine the current approaches for measuring the cellular uptake of nanoparticles and proteins. We explore the techniques distinguishing material internalized by the cell from material bound to the surface, with a particular focus on recent advances in sensor technology. We also highlight the requirements for quantifying internalization and the pitfalls that can limit data analysis. Finally, we explore the importance of understanding recycling of internalized material back to the cell surface, and the methods that can be used to quantify this. Delivering cargo to specific subcellular locations first requires uptake. Robust techniques that can quantify this event are the critical for developing the next generation of smart, targeted, therapeutic nanoparticles.

纳米药物的许多应用取决于治疗剂进入细胞内部的途径。由于大多数蛋白质和纳米颗粒通过内吞作用吸收，因此决定控制摄取的纳米颗粒的特性至关重要。在这篇综述中，我们研究了目前用于测量细胞摄取纳米颗粒和蛋白质的方法。我们探索区分细胞内在物质与结合到表面的物质的技术，特别关注传感器技术的最新进展。我们还强调了量化内部化的要求以及可能限制数据分析的陷阱。最后，我们探讨了理解内部化材料循环回细胞表面的重要性，以及可以用来量化这一点的方法。首先，将货物运送到特定的亚细胞位置需要摄取。可以量化此事件的可靠技术对于开发下一代智能的，靶向的治疗性纳米颗粒至关重要。