Nanotechnology Environmental Health and Safety Research Efforts: The need for Multidisciplinary Consortia Approaches

Abstract

The increased production and use of nanoscale materials and nano-enabled devices provides opportunities for intentional and accidental exposures to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) with unknown health consequences. The initial conventional toxicology approaches to understand toxicity of ENMs indicated novel nanoscale interactions. This led to a clear recognition that gaining a fundamental knowledge of the specific physical or chemical properties of ENMs that dictate interaction with biological systems is critical. With subtle modifications such as surface coating or size, one can generate thousands of variants of ENMs with diverse physical and chemical properties. These issues can be addressed by scientific programs that are coordinated and integrated efforts across multiple laboratories. Towards this, the NIEHS has initiated consortia-based research models to encourage multidisciplinary teams of investigators work together towards a common goal. The consortium will integrate ENM- biological interactions from in vitro and in vivo studies to develop computational predictive modeling to elucidate biological response. Additional efforts include developing harmonized protocols and methods for generating reliable and reproducible data across multiple laboratories using relevant in vitro and in vivo model systems, systems biology approaches and toxicokinetics modeling. Results generated across these common efforts will feed into predictive models for assessing health effects associated with ENMs physical and chemical properties. The consortium research model supported by NIEHS serves as a framework to guide the scientific regulatory decision making processes. Furthermore, it can be used as a tool to guide development of a new generation of ENMs. This presentation will cover the scientific goals behind establishing a research consortium, address the impact of our initial research efforts, and the lessons learned in this process, as well as critical research gaps and research needs to support the national strategy for Nano Environmental Health and Safety in the US.