Monthly Archives: February 2014

Protocol for the high throughput Comet Assay. (A) Assembly of macrowell comet array. Agarose gel with microwells is sandwiched between a glass substrate and a bottomless 96-well plate and sealed with mechanical force. Approximately 300 arrayed microwells comprise the bottom of each macrowell. (B) Preparation of the nanoparticle suspension according to the protocol by Cohen at al. (C) Protocol for exposing the cells to the nanoparticles. (D) Loading of the exposed cell samples in the macrowells and running the microwell assay.

Nanomaterials are part of daily life. Although there is a wide range of methods to evaluate their potential toxic effects, there is no way to evaluate gene damage.

Scientists at Harvard University in the School of Public Health in collaboration with the research Group of Bevin P. Engelward at MIT, have developed a screening assay to detect the genotoxic potential of nanomaterials. Metal oxide nanoparticles in biological systems can generate reactive oxygen species, which can overwhelm innate antioxidant defenses and cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress, among other factors, has been associated with DNA damage and mutations, precursors to cancer. As more and more commercial products contain nanomaterials consisting of metal oxides such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, screening assays such as these are crucial to reducing potential health hazards. Christa Watson, postdoctoral research fellow at HSPH, suggests that accurate toxicity assessments of nanomaterials before they are incorporated into consumer products can help us prevent similar consequences that we are currently facing from asbestos exposures such as mesothelioma. Current efforts are ongoing to understand the novel toxicities nanomaterials may pose on public safety. This research was recently published in ACS Nano February 14, 2014 DOI: 10.1021/nn404871p

ZnO is a widely used material in cosmetics and food applications. The ions however, that are leaching have been linked to potential adverse effects. In our center we developed a safer formulation concept to mitigate toxicity by encapsulating the materials in a thin layer of Silica.

One of the main constituents of sunscreen is the ZnO particles. ZnO nanoparticles are sought out for UV-filter applications thanks to their inherent optoelectronic properties and are, therefore, broadly used today in cosmetics and polymers. Preliminary toxicological data, however, point out that they can induce significant DNA damage and genotoxicity due to their Zn²⁺ ion leaching. It has become important for the nanotechnology industry, to devise scalable, safer-by-design approaches to minimize the ZnO nanoparticle dissolution and toxicity without altering their desired optoelectronic properties.

G. Sotiriou the lead author of the paper.

In their work, the researchers demonstrated a safer-by-design approach for ZnO nanorods using a scalable flame aerosol process. This technology allows for controlled synthesis of high-purity ZnO nanorods with highly crystalline core and a nanothin amorphous silica shell that improves their biocompatibility. The as-prepared nanorods exhibit high transparency in the visible range, but strong absorption in the UV rendering them suitable for use in sunscreens and polymers. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the hermetic silica coating does not alter the desired optoelectronic properties of the core ZnO nanorods while their DNA damage potential has been 3-fold decreased.

You can read more at the Chemistry World news article or, directly the paper.

Please join us for our next meeting of the Massachusetts chapter of the New England Nanotechnology Association (NENA) to hear about some new developments in nanotechnology and nanotoxicology.

We’ll enjoy a continental breakfast, spend a little time networking, and hear about these new developments and other topics of interest. There is no cost to attend, so please RSVP today. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Agenda:
8:30 – 9:00AM:  Networking and refreshments

9:00 – 9:10AM:  Welcome and introductions - William S. Rogers, Jr., Esq., Partner, Prince Lobel Tye LLP, Boston, MA

9:10-9:20AM: Speaker - Eric S. Howard, Corporate and Outreach Manager, NSF Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing, Northeastern University, Boston, MA