The field of nanotechnology related environmental health science is vast and evolving.  It encompasses studies with engineered nanomaterials (such as particles, fibers, and composites) as well as nanotechnology processes (such as lithography, self-assembly, and targeted delivery). Few people have been able to contribute a significant amount of data to both of these areas; Professor Vicki Grassian is one of those scientists.  Over the past 15 years, research efforts performed by Grassian and her team have resulted in hundreds of research manuscripts and perspective pieces that address critical concerns related to nanotechnology health and safety.  This talk will highlight some of those most cited works as they relate to novel R&D efforts in nanomedicine and nanotoxicology. For example, principles guiding basic and complex surface chemistry provide sound insights into successful development of homing beacons tethered to the surfaces of drug delivery nano-carriers.  In addition, using combinations of soft and hard “shells”, it is possible to engineer pharmaceuticals that target specific tissues (via cell surface receptors) and deliver a payload (cytotoxic dose) of active pharmaceutical ingredients, while decreasing unwanted side-effects induced by the nano-excipient.  Lastly, surface chemistry (charge and absorbed functional group) play a crucial role in nanoparticle transformation and eventual fate; and, in some case, this role is more pronounced than either particle composition or the surrounding environmental conditions.  Conclusions reached in Grassian’s research efforts have informed many subsequent studies and accelerated our collective knowledge in nano-EHS.

Accelerating nano-EHS research: Applications in nano-chemistry and nano-toxicology

2019 Fall National Meeting

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