Investigating Toxicity of Airborne Metal Nanoparticles: Mechanisms and Characterization

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Nanoparticle (NP, in vitro toxicity testing system to screen, rank and predict with greater certainty the toxic effects of NPs and ii) identify and characterize the causal factors and NP toxicity using a toxicogenomic approach. Over the next five years, my short-term objectives will assess the toxicity of inhaled metal NPs and prioritize NPs for more in depth in animal studies by providing more information on its causal factors and mechanisms. I specifically propose to: 1) elucidate the underlying causes and mechanisms by which NPs enhance lung bacterial infection and 2) assess the effects of pulmonary NP exposure on the cardiovascular system.******With successful completion of this research, there will be many benefits providing (1) HQP with unique training opportunities for a new branch of science (nanotoxicology); (2) valuable information on the rank of NP toxicity and prioritization of NPs for in vivo testing as a cost-effective screening; (3) understanding of the mechanisms by which NP exposures produce biological responses as this will put us in a strong position to develop strategies to design safe NPs.