Efforts to develop long circulating polymeric nanoparticles have propelled many strategies in nanoparticle surface modification to bypass immune surveillance and systemic clearance. In this context, our present study reports on the preparation and evaluation of mucin functionalized poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles as hemocompatible, cell penetrating nanoparticulate drug delivery system. Amino groups of mucin were conjugated to the terminal carboxylic acid groups on PLGA to be followed by nanoparticle synthesis via standard solvent evaporation technique. Detailed in vitro experiments were performed to illustrate the significance of alternating copolymer structured mucin modified PLGA nanoparticles in terms of enhanced hemocompatibility and cellular uptake. Mucylation proved promising in controlling PLGA nanoparticle- interaction with plasma proteins (opsonins) and blood components via hemolysis, thrombogenecity and complement activation. Besides hemocompatibility, the modified and unmodified nanoparticles were also found to be cytocompatible with L929 and C6 cell lines. The fluorescent and confocal image analysis evaluated the extent of cellular uptake of nanoparticles into C6 cells. Specifically the combination of stealth properties and cellular internalization capacity of mucin modified PLGA nanoparticle (PLGA Mucin) lead us to propose it as a safe, efficient and multifunctional nanoplatform for disease specific intravenous drug delivery applications as far as in vitro experiments are concerned. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.