Objectives

To co-ordinate with other experts and groupings the levels and routes of nanoparticle exposure in the coming decades, the means of entry and subsequent transport processes in living organisms, and thereby typical concentrations residing in the different organs.

The marshalling of key methods and instrumental techniques from different fields, leading to the first complete (from synthesis to in situ physiological environment) assessment of all aspects of nanoparticle-physiological systems.

The reduction of this approach to a set of protocols for consideration by the international community (academia and industry) as standards.

Determination of whether the nanoparticle enters or remains outside the cell, and the factors (size, shape, surface presentation, co-factors) that determine this.

Correlation of the nature of the nanoparticle, with its means of means of entry into the cell and its final destination, using a large range of most advanced methods from correlation spectroscopies to all types of microscopy.

Unbiased determination (using high throughput advanced technologies such as proteomics, transcriptomic gene arrays, antibody arrays etc.) of the whole range of biological processes, both intra- and intercellular, caused or affected by nanoparticle-cell interaction.

To supplement, and support these mass data-acquisition methods with specific and accurate biological and toxicological techniques, providing a basis for comparison and future collaboration with other communities working in the same field.

To reduce the massive amounts of data associated with this ‘fingerprint’ of the particle-cell interaction using bioinformatics, and system-level biological analysis to identify processes that have the potential to cause known, or new, diseases.

To develop the large amounts of data into standard form for future study by scientist using different approaches to data mining.

To reduce the full study of nanoparticle-evaluation-biological process to a simplified version for more general use, leading to first steps of ‘tools’ or kits for screening nanoparticles for their potential to interact with cells.

By means of the Advisory Council, the Work-Package on Dissemination, and future planning, to assist in the building of the outputs of this program (along with those of other successful EU and International programs) towards a more global effort to develop nano-toxicology methodology.