Natasa Polak

Project title: ‘Toxicogenomics of nanoparticles in the nematode model system C.elegans" funded by a MRC CASE award
Natural and synthetic nanoparticles (NP) are microscopic particles and liquid droplets which can be characterized by their small size (less than 0.1 µm). Natural NPs are produced from a number of sources (e.g. diesel engines) and contain nitrates, sulfates, organic chemicals, metals and dust particles, while synthetic NPs have a number of different compositions and can be made from carbon, metals and other constituents. It is now well established that NPs (< 0.1µm) can cause serious health effects in humans (e.g. diesel particle exposure is associated with early onset of coronary disease and has been found to exert toxicity upon respiratory tract).

To establish the modes of action of NP toxicity, this project utilizes the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans organism to conduct baseline studies to screen the toxicological effects (life-history traits, fitness and metabolism) of metal oxide based synthetic and naturally occurring NPs. The uptake of the different types of NPs by the nematode, including their localisation throughout the body and within cells are being studied. In addition, the project is utilizing whole genome microarrays, qPCR, transgenics, RAMAN spectroscopy and fluorescent dies to define the responses to different classes of NPs in order to assess the mechanistic basis of NP toxicity.