EU NanoSafety Cluster

Biomembrane Nanosafety Focus group

Chair: Andrew Nelson

Professor of nanotoxicology University of Leeds and Scientific Co-ordinator of ENNSATOX

This focus group in currently being formed and people are invited to contact Prof Nelson if they liek to join the TF. 

Biomembrane-nanoparticle interactions represent a sound basis for the development of real high throughput nanoparticle screens. We want to get all interested parties together to push this area up front.

The assessment of the safety of nanomaterials including nanoparticles with respect to their potential  interference in cell physiology and biomembrane transport is being assessed by several NP safety cluster projects using  high to medium throughput biophysical assays. The biomembrane is the critical first point of contact for nanoparticles and represents the first boundary between the living organism and its environment and thus represents a  'first- pass-filter' for assessing the bioactivity of NPs prior to more complex testing.  Not only this but such a basic approach when used in the context of more complex experiments (eg whole tissue or organism studies) has the capacity to inform and direct research by highlighting the basic mechanisms of action. 

 

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

 

1. Please contact us for volunteering to take lead/action in any of the above activities or to propose more (expected any time)
2. Please send in your own specific assay proposals (expected by the end of May  2011)
3. Please suggest specific dissemination actions towards the biomembrane /biophysics  community (expected by end of June 2011)
4. Please suggest any other specific dissemination action (expected end of June 2011
5. Please contribute your brief reports (meetings, congresses) regarding advancements and news in nano-Membrane safety (expected any time).

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