This work presents a strategy of using mixed monolayer protected nanoparticles for specific interactions with target biological molecules. The mixed monolayer is composed of a shielding component and a capture component. The shielding component utilizes ethylene glycol oligomers to prevent nonspecific binding with biomolecules. The capture component is chosen to specifically interact with the target of interest, such as a protein molecule. Such a concept was demonstrated by two synthetic systems. The first one is gold nanoparticles protected by a mixed monolayer of tri(ethylene glycol) thiol (EG(3)-SH) and tiopronin (Tp), which was prepared by a one-step synthesis. Surface chemical composition studies using H-1 NMR spectroscopy revealed that the reactivity of EG(3)-SH is 3 times as high as that of Tp in the nanoparticle formation. Gel electrophoresis analysis identified a critical ratio of (EG(3)-S-)/TP on the nanoparticle surface above which no nonspecific binding occurred. By further derivatizing Tp into a biotin group, we synthesized Au(-S-EG(3)),/Tp-biotin particles that bind specifically to streptavidin with negligible nonspecific binding. The second system is gold nanoparticles protected by a mixed monolayer of EG(3)-SH and glutathione (GSH). By controlling the feeding ratio of EG(3)-SH and GSH, we made Au(-S-EG(3))(n)/GSH particles that bind specifically to gultathione-S-transferase (GST) with negligible nonspecific binding.