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Closing the data gap: High throughput screening of nanoparticle toxicity. The nanotechnology sector is experiencing an exponential growth period with over 100 products containing manufactured nanoparticles entering the market every year. Ensuring growth of the sector needs to be balanced against the imperative of protecting both human and environmental safety. This project aims to develop new methodological and conceptual avenues to close the gap between innovation in nanotechnology and risk ass ....Closing the data gap: High throughput screening of nanoparticle toxicity. The nanotechnology sector is experiencing an exponential growth period with over 100 products containing manufactured nanoparticles entering the market every year. Ensuring growth of the sector needs to be balanced against the imperative of protecting both human and environmental safety. This project aims to develop new methodological and conceptual avenues to close the gap between innovation in nanotechnology and risk assessment. This is intended to be achieved by developing and validating high-throughput in vitro toxicity screening platforms for manufactured nanoparticles. The approach is based on advanced lab-on-a-chip microfluidic technologies. The predictive power of the platform will be refined and optimised via ex-vivo and in-vivo models.Read moreRead less
Modular microfluidic platform for mimicking multi-organ system interactions. This project aims to develop a novel, modular microfluidic platform that overcomes current limitations of integrated systems in synchronising multi-tissue culture, imaging and operational complexity. Understanding multi-organ systemic crosstalk in human health and diseases demands dynamic culture systems that can mimic such interactions. This project will deliver a first-in-class platform technology and establish intern ....Modular microfluidic platform for mimicking multi-organ system interactions. This project aims to develop a novel, modular microfluidic platform that overcomes current limitations of integrated systems in synchronising multi-tissue culture, imaging and operational complexity. Understanding multi-organ systemic crosstalk in human health and diseases demands dynamic culture systems that can mimic such interactions. This project will deliver a first-in-class platform technology and establish international and disciplinary collaborations to develop different tissue and engineering modules relevant to applications in systemic nanotoxicology, drug bioactivation and chronic diseases. This will provide the cornerstone technology to develop a new generation of disease models and therapeutics targeting interaction dysfunctions.Read moreRead less
Nanosilver antimicrobial resistance in target pathogens. This project aims to elucidate the important phenomena of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial nanosilver, currently one of the most developed and commercialised products of nanotechnology. The integrated research approach comprises of concurrent identification of the origins and routes of nanosilver toxicity in bacteria and the arising emergence and mechanisms of bacterial defence to the toxicity. The generated knowledge is to form a bas ....Nanosilver antimicrobial resistance in target pathogens. This project aims to elucidate the important phenomena of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial nanosilver, currently one of the most developed and commercialised products of nanotechnology. The integrated research approach comprises of concurrent identification of the origins and routes of nanosilver toxicity in bacteria and the arising emergence and mechanisms of bacterial defence to the toxicity. The generated knowledge is to form a base template for novel nanosilver engineering with less tendency for resistance development and to facilitate tracking of resistance and its spread amongst microorganisms. The knowledge has far-reaching implications on the better governance of nanosilver use, including its disposal.Read moreRead less
Interactions between nanoparticles and bacteria. This project aims to understand how nanoparticles interfere with bacterial metabolism, and how these interactions lead to cell death, lysis and dispersal from biofilms. Intensive use of nanomaterials results in their continuously releases into the environment. While various nanoparticles have inhibitory and even toxic effects on microorganisms in ecosystems, the underlying mechanisms are not understood. This project will investigate model organism ....Interactions between nanoparticles and bacteria. This project aims to understand how nanoparticles interfere with bacterial metabolism, and how these interactions lead to cell death, lysis and dispersal from biofilms. Intensive use of nanomaterials results in their continuously releases into the environment. While various nanoparticles have inhibitory and even toxic effects on microorganisms in ecosystems, the underlying mechanisms are not understood. This project will investigate model organisms’ responses to nanoparticles at the cellular, enzymatic and gene expression levels. The findings are expected to help assess the immediate and long-term effect of nanoparticles on ecosystem health, for improved environmental management.Read moreRead less
Is mass commercialisation of silver-based nanotechnology undermining its biomedical antibacterial potential? Silver nanoparticles have demonstrated broad spectrum antibacterial potential and are increasingly used in biomedical applications to limit infection. They are also found in a growing range of everyday products such as shampoos and socks. This situation is analogous to the previous use of antibiotics for nonmedical purposes and the subsequent spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. This ....Is mass commercialisation of silver-based nanotechnology undermining its biomedical antibacterial potential? Silver nanoparticles have demonstrated broad spectrum antibacterial potential and are increasingly used in biomedical applications to limit infection. They are also found in a growing range of everyday products such as shampoos and socks. This situation is analogous to the previous use of antibiotics for nonmedical purposes and the subsequent spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. This project will measure silver resistance selection pressure in key microbial communities. Novel monitoring devices, a multi-technique chemistry approach, and correlative synchrotron spectroscopy and molecular biology techniques will be used to decipher the environmental silver resistome and its likely significance.Read moreRead less
A surface functionality based approach for the risk assessment of manufactured nanomaterials in the environment. Manufactured nanoparticles are increasingly present in the environment yet their risk assessment is fraught with analytical challenges. This project will use customised nanoparticles with unique isotopic signatures and surface properties to circumvent key difficulties and support novel investigations into nanoparticle stability, fate and toxicity.
Addressing the uncertainties: Pathways, fate and associated risks of manufactured nanoparticles in the environment. Manufactured nanomaterials are increasingly present in commercial products, such as sunscreens, textiles and building materials. Their subsequent release to the environment is unavoidable. This project will deliver novel methods for assessing the associated risks, thereby supporting the safe and sustainable use of nanomaterials in Australia.
An integrated model for assessing health effects of nanoparticle inhalation. This project aims to examine the associated risks of nanoparticle inhalation on heath by developing a toxicological predictive tool for health risk assessment. The outcomes of this research will lead to greatly improved preventative measures, thereby reducing occupational diseases and the health socio-economic burden of Australia.
The Molecular Basis of Nanoparticle Resistance in Mixed-Species Biofilm. The project aims to understand how the globally significant mixed-species growth of pathogens develop resistance to silver nanoparticle, currently one of the most important alternative antimicrobials to antibiotics. The integrated research is to elucidate, for the first time, the nanoparticle multi-targeting toxicity on mixed-species bacterial community and how, in turn, the bacteria activate their cell-to-cell signalling f ....The Molecular Basis of Nanoparticle Resistance in Mixed-Species Biofilm. The project aims to understand how the globally significant mixed-species growth of pathogens develop resistance to silver nanoparticle, currently one of the most important alternative antimicrobials to antibiotics. The integrated research is to elucidate, for the first time, the nanoparticle multi-targeting toxicity on mixed-species bacterial community and how, in turn, the bacteria activate their cell-to-cell signalling for a synergistic defence to adapt to the nanoparticle toxicity. The pioneering knowledge is the foundation for technologies targeting the interspecies metabolite cross-talking to overcome the resistance phenomena, ensuring a long-term efficacy of the alternative antimicrobial on the difficult-to-control pathogenic growth.Read moreRead less
Immunotoxic Effects Of Engineered Nanomaterials Used In The Australian Workplace
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,816.00
Summary
Certain engineered nanomaterials are more toxic than their bulk material forms. We urgently need the ability to re-engineer these nanomaterials to reduce their toxicity and potential health risks, but lack the necessary knowledge. This project directly addresses the NHMRC Strategic Initiative on Nanotechnology and Health, by providing essential information for designing safer nanomaterials from systemically studying the immune effects of metal oxide nanoparticles used in Australian industry.