Scientific and technological objectives of the project

Particle and exposure characterization:

• to delineate the particle size distribution, dissolution, agglomeration properties, surface area and surface activity of the nanoparticles selected
• to define exposure levels of selected nanoparticles under laboratory conditions and in workplaces
• to choose additional nanoparticles based on the initial investigations for exposure studies

Genotoxicity of nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo:

• to delineate nanoparticle-induced oxidative DNA damage in lung cells
• to explore nanoparticle-induced DNA strand breakage and chromosomal damage in pulmonary cells

Pulmonary inflammation induced by exposure to nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo:

• to investigate the direct effects of nanoparticle exposure on pulmonary inflammation
• to investigate the modulatory effects of nanoparticle exposure on the development of allergic asthma
• to investigate the inflammatory responses in pulmonary cells

Effects of nanoparticles on microcirculation:

• to investigate the effects of nanoparticles on microvascular thrombus formation in vivo and the potential prothrombotic and proinflammatory changes in the microvasculature
• to investigate the role of nanoparticles in consequences of post-ischemic injury