Project Page Views: [ 10056 ]
Project Metadata Element | Details |
Project Title | Assessment of exposure to metallic nanoparticles on marine and fresh water model organisms at cellular and genetic level. |
Research Area | Water |
Project Acronym | |
Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Lokesh Joshi |
Lead Institution or Organisation | National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) |
Lead Country | Ireland |
Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.27905, -9.05794 |
Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
Approximate Project Start Date | 01/09/2008 |
Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/03/2011 |
Project Website (if any) | |
Links to other Web-based resources | |
Project Keywords | Nanoparticles; Biological effects; Freshwater and Marine; Monitoring |
Project Abstract | Despite the benefits of nanotechnology, concern is mounting that due to their unique physico-chemical properties, nanoparticles (NPs) may cause unknown biological effects with environmental and human health consequences. Bio-accumulation, bio-persistence, environmental fate and exposure effects remain to be evaluated. Here, the relationships between physico-chemical properties of metallic NPs and biological effects will be examined using two aquatic (one marine and one freshwater) model organisms. Characterisation of NP accumulation and consequent changes in morphology, development, gene and protein expression will provide a basis for the determination of safe concentrations, detectable exposure levels, and potential biomarkers for NP impact and environmental monitoring. |