Many first generation nanomaterials have been examined for their potential toxicity to a variety of organisms, however there are questions as to how to use this information to predict the next generation of materials which may be more complex and different in composition. In addition, toxicity often varies depending on the organism studied without a clear idea as to the molecular mechanisms responsible for this variation. In order to create nanomaterials that are environmentally benign it will be necessary to understand the fundamental molecular interactions that occur between nanomaterials across organisms. In the Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology (CSN) we are studying several types of next generation materials including complex metal mixture nanomaterials being developed for batteries (including NMC, LiCo and variations of these with differing ratios of metals), NP-polymer combinations, carbon based materials, and ligand-nanoparticle combinations that vary in their charge (AuNP-PAH, AuNP-MPA). For several of these materials we have found evidence of nanomaterial specific responses that are different than the surface ligands on the materials or the ions that may be released during the exposures. These molecular changes include alterations of metabolic pathways, detoxification, growth and reproduction, as well as cell surface functions that may provide insight on the mechanism as well as location of interaction of the nanoparticle with the cells of the organism. We have also compared these results across multiple model organisms in the CSN that represent pelagic as well as sediment dwelling model species. We find significant differences in toxicity across models that are also associated with variation in molecular responses across organisms. This variation may be in part due to differences in the cellular chemistry across species and associated sensitivies. The implications for deriving conclusions about the molecular effects of nanomaterials and safety limits across the environment based on different model species will be discussed.<br/> <br/>

Identifying the molecular mechanisms responsible for differences in toxicity of complex nanomaterials across organisms

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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