INOS
INOS (Identification and Assessment of the Effects of Engineered NanOparticleS on Human and Environmental Health) funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Jan 2006 - Dec 2009), has developed methods based on in-vitro testing for evaluating the hazard potential of engineered nanoparticles. The hazards analysis was based on a comprehensive investigation into the behaviour of nanoparticles and the changes they undergo in different cell culture media, their reaction with cytosol components such as salts and proteins, changes in pH and the interaction of nanoparticles with cells as a function of their size, physicochemical nature and surface composition.
Research concentrated on ceramic and metallic particles such as diamond, tungsten carbide, titanium dioxide, titanium carbon nitride, cobalt, platinum, ceramic metal compounds, as well as carbon nanotubes and carbon black. The materials differ in structure, chemical bonding and chemical stability, as well as in their dissolution and dispersion behaviour in aqueous media so that clear differences were expected in the reactions of cells with these particles. Scientists hope to be able to transfer and apply the knowledge they gain here to the testing of other materials.
Various human and animal cells, such as pulmonary and intestinal epithelial cells, epidermis cells, neurons and glial cells were used as cell lines or primary cells for cytotoxicological investigations. Vitality, general stress response (e.g. changes in protein expression), oxidative stress, inflammatory and immune modulating effects, gene toxicity, cell death, etc. will be examined.
Project partners:
Technische Universität Dresden
Fraunhofer Institut für keramische Technologien und Systeme (IKTS)
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UfZ)
Namos GmbH
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Projec lead:
Prof. Wolfgang Pompe, Technische Universität Dresden (January 2006 to January 2007)
Dr. Volkmar Richter, Fraunhofer IKTS, Dresden (February 2007 to April 2009)
