The nematode C. elegans is an extremely well-studied model organism and represents a powerful tool for elucidating mechanisms of toxicity of nanomaterials. Nanotoxicology exposures have to-date focused largely on simple materials such as silver, but manufactured nanomaterials with potential environmental impacts are likely to be complex. The work presented here represents the initial stages in the exploration of the interactions of complex nanomaterials using the powerful model organism, C. elegans. Adult nematodes were exposed to the complex next-generation battery material Lithium Nickel Magnesium Cobalt Oxide (NMC) as well as negatively and positively-charged gold nanoparticles: citrate-capped gold (Cit-Au) and poly(allylamine) hydrochloride-wrapped gold (PAH-Au) spheres. Nanomaterials were mixed with OP50 bacteria and spread on solid NGM plates, simulating a sediment-type exposure. Animals were observed and scored alive/dead daily until the end of their lifespan. In contrast to results observed in aquatic exposures with animal models such as Daphnia magna; NMC, Cit-Au, and PAH-Au did not cause increased mortality in C. elegans, even at concentrations as high as 100, 10, and 10 mg/L respectively. These results suggest that media may play an important role in toxicity of nanomaterials, but represent only the beginning of explorations of complex nanomaterial interactions using C. elegans. The well-studied and amenable nature of this organism make possible future studies taking advantage of gene-expression, gene-knockdown and knockouts, GFP-reporters, and myriad types of microscopy.

Exploring impacts of complex nanomaterials using the nematode C. elegans

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.