EAGER: Impact of nanoparticles containing rare earth elements onto different bacterial communities

由于稀土元素（REE）在生物医学仪器、绿色能源产品等产品中的工业和军事应用中的关键用途，目前对稀土元素（REE）的兴趣很大。然而，关于它们的环境、健康或安全影响的信息很少，特别是作为纳米材料。这项工作将开始制定方案，以检查这些纳米材料可能的有害影响，并为更广泛地检查这类纳米材料铺平道路。这项研究将(i)建立可靠的分析技术和实验方法，（ii）评估稀土纳米颗粒（nREE）对不同微生物种群的影响程度，以及（iii）为进一步的工作产生初步数据。铈和镝纳米颗粒将被表征并检查其对大肠杆菌的影响。铈的影响已经得到了充分的研究，并将作为对照，而镝纳米材料的影响尚不清楚。对细胞的影响，如活力，膜渗透，细胞生长，呼吸，细胞内的区隔化，不同介质化学的影响将被检查。本研究中开发的方法将提供有关这种稀土影响的新信息，以及检查同类其他材料的方法。拟议的研究将为这些纳米颗粒和纳米产品释放的nree和REE离子的潜在毒性提供基础数据。此外，还将评估这些材料在各种自然水条件下的命运。这些信息将有助于了解这些材料一旦释放到环境中的影响。研究生和本科生将参与这项研究，其中包括两名西班牙裔学生。这项工作将纳入pi课程，其结果将通过科学和公共媒体传播。

1203555-CraverThere is much current interest in rare earth elements (REE) as a result of their critical uses in industrial and military applications in products such as biomedical instrumentation, green energy products, and . However, there is little information on their environment, health, or safety impacts, particularly as nanomaterials. This work will begin development of protocols to examine possible harmful effects of these nanomaterials and pave the way for a broader examination of this class of nanomaterials.Intellectual MeritThis research will (i) establish reliable analytical techniques and experimental methodologies, (ii) assess the magnitude of the impact of REE nanoparticles (nREE) to different populations of microorganisms, and (iii) generate preliminary data for further work. Cerium and Dysprosium nanoparticles will be characterized and examined with respect to their impact on E. coli bacteria. Ceria impacts have been well-studied and will be used as a control, while the effects of dysprosium nanomaterials are unknown. Effects on cells such as viability, membrane permeation, cell growth, respiration, compartmentalization within the cells, effects of different media chemistries will be examined. Methods developed in this research will provide both new information about the impact of this rare earth and the means of examining other materials in the same class. Broader Impacts The proposed study will provide fundamental data regarding the potential toxicity of nREEs and REE ions released from these nanoparticles and nanoproducts. Additionally,information regarding the fate of these materials in a variety of natural water conditions will be evaluated. This information will help to understand the impact of the materials once released into the environment. Graduate and undergraduate students will work on this research including 2 Hispanic students. The work will be incorporated into the PIs courses and the results disseminated through scientific and public media.