Cell models in nanotoxicity testing

Owing to their inherent great surface-to-volume ratio, nanomaterials may be biologically active and pose a potential risk to human health and to the environment.

Establishing knowledge regarding the risk of nanoparticles includes development of in vitro methods for toxicological testing of nanoparticles.

This research is divided into three parts:

In vitro testing in cells representing potential target organs of common effects and underlying mechanisms
Uptake, distribution, persistence, and toxic effects in cellular systems
Genotoxicity, immunology, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory reactions

Cellular uptake, intracellular distribution, cytotoxicity and cell proliferation are the basic investigations in these projects. These techniques are followed by mechanistic studies involving genotoxic effects, changes in cytokine levels, stress and apoptotic responses as well as changes in expression of relevant genes.