Aimed at developing new methodologies for the identification and control of hazards associated with nanomaterials, ensuring consumer and Society safety. It pursues the main objective of generating a common solid knowledge basis arising from the fruitful cross-sectorial synergy between forefront research Centers in nanosafety and industry, in a cross-fertilization multidisciplinary approach that will provide new tests and methodologies (or improve existing ones) to assess the long term risks of nanomaterials (NMs) in a rapid and cost effective manner suitable for regulatory inclusion.

NANOGENTOOLS combines genomics (toxicogenomics), proteomics and multidisciplinary science (biophysics, molecular modelling, chemistry, bioinformatics, chemoinformatics) to develop fast in vitro high throughput (HTS) assays, with molecular based computational models for better understanding of the molecular fundamentals of nanotoxicity, and it will initiate the development of online nanosafety assays for use by SMEs during product development.

Impacts

The expected impacts include pre-validated tools for efficient cost-effective nanosafety assessment applicable to SMEs and suitable for incorporation into regulatory frameworks, and translation of the knowledge into a demonstration of the application of safety-by-design principles for the development of a CNT-based nanosensor.

The specific objectives of our project are:

• To provide solutions for faster and more reliable assessment of NM toxicity and propose a battery of HTS and -omics tools suitable for predicting the toxicological properties of NMs.
• To develop new bioinformatics methodologies capable of analyzing -omics data and create an open database for the scientific community in collaboration with the EU Nanosafety Cluster.
• To conduct research and training on biophysical techniques and mathematical models for accurate and fast nanotoxicity prediction linked to safety-by-design concepts.
• To understand, build and improve the safe by design concept, with demonstration using carbon-based NMs and nanosensors and demonstrate translation across applications and NMs.
• To place our new knowledge in the context of present regulations and EU roadmaps

1 January 2016 – 31 December 2019