NANOSOLUTIONS - Biological Foundation for the Safety Classification of Engineered Nanomaterials (ENM): Systems Biology Approaches to Understand Interactions of ENM with Living Organisms and the Environment
Research summary
NANOSOLUTIONS seeks to identify and elaborate the characteristics of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) that determine their biological hazard potential. It will help develop a safety classification model for ENM based on an understanding of their interactions with living organisms, benefiting industry and enabling innovation.The NANOSOLUTIONS project was created to develop a safety classification for engineered nanomaterials (ENM) based on an understanding of their interactions with living organisms at molecular, cellular and organism levels. The human body uses natural nanomaterials, such as proteins and other molecules, to control the body�s many systems and processes.
Description
BACKGROUND:
Engineered nanomaterials (ENM) - defined as having at least one dimension ≤100nm � have attracted a great deal of interest in recent years, due to their many technologically interesting properties. The unique properties of ENM and their applications have given birth to immense technological and economic expectations for industries using ENM. However, some of these properties have given rise to concern that they may be harmful to humans. Currently, creating commercial products using ENM requires vigorous testing and there are many barriers to overcome.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the project is to identify and elaborate those characteristics of ENM that determine their biological hazard potential.This potential including the ability of ENM to induce damage at the cellular, tissue, or organism levels by interacting with cellular structures leading to impairment of key cellular functions. These adverse effects may be mediated by ENM-induced alterations in gene expression and translation, but may involve also epigenetic transformation of genetic functions.
The long-term goal is to create a set of biomarkers of ENM toxicity that are relevant in assessing and predicting the safety and toxicity of ENM across species. ENM-organism interaction is complex and depends not simply on the composition of the ENM core, but particularly on its physicochemical properties, which are largely governed by their surface properties.
The overarching objective of the research is, therefore, to provide a means to develop an "ENM Safety Classifier" based on their material characteristics, using the understanding of ENM interactions with living organisms at the molecular, cellular and organism level acquired in this consortium. This will give scientists the ability to predict these harmful effects rather than simply describe them once they have occurred.
OUTCOMES:
https://cordis.europa.eu/result/rcn/204367_en.html
More information
Research info
Research title
NANOSOLUTIONS - Biological Foundation for the Safety Classification of Engineered Nanomaterials (ENM): Systems Biology Approaches to Understand Interactions of ENM with Living Organisms and the Environment
Research timeline
1.4.2013 - 1.3.2017
Keywords
ENM (Engineered Nanomaterials) ENM Safety Classification Model ENM'S Biological Hazard Potential ENM-Organism Interaction nanotechnology
Region
Africa Asia Latin America
Countries
Belgium, Brazil, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
Institution
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
Research and Development
Helsinki, Finland
Funding instrument
Academy of Finland, European Union Funding
Head of research
Kai Savolainen
Research team
Dario Greco, Harri Alenius, Riitta Lahesmaa, Roland Grafström, Kai Savolainen
Partners
University of Helsinki, Turku Center for Biotechnology, VTT, MISVIK Biology, Zhejiang University, China, FUB, Brazil, NHLS/NIOH South Africa, North West University, South Africa
* 28 Additional International Partners
Contact information
Dario Greco
+358 02941 26460
dario.greco@helsinki.fi
Open link
Record last updated
17.4.2019