The Centre for Nano Safety is a multi-discplinary centre addressing the potential human and environmental effects of nanomaterials, incorporating human and environmental toxicology as well as microbiology.
Products containing nanotechnology - components hundreds of times smaller than a human bloodcell - are being developed all the time. These products range from electronic gadgets and medicines to food additives and cosmetics, with applications ranging from treatments for cancer to stain resistant clothing.
Centre News
10/11/09
Official launch of Centre for Nano Safety
An event is being held on Wednesday 11th November to mark the official launch of the centre. Guests at the launch will include representatives from government, industry, academia and the media. A review of the event will be featured here on Centre News.
14/10/09
New Funding secured for Reproductive Nanotox.
Dr Gary Hutchison, PI in reproductive toxicology, has secured £5000 from the Scottish Funding Council to develop a new collaboration with biotech company, Roslin Cellab, based in Edinburgh.
The project will provide insight into the effects of nanoparticle exposure during early foetal development using Roslin's human Embryonic Stem Cell lines.
13/10/09
A flurry of new publications by Centre staff
Profs Vicki Stone and Teresa Fernandes have had a paper accepted for publication in the journal Science of the Total Environment entitled; Nanomaterials for environmental studies: Classification, reference material 3 issues, and strategies for physico-chemical characterisation.
Dr Gary Hutchison has had two papers accepted for publications in the International Journal of Andrology and the journal Endocrinology. The papers are entitled 'Androgen action in the masculinization programming window and development of male reproductive organs' and 'Glucocorticoids Amplify Dibutyl Phthalate-Induced Disruption of Testosterone Production and Male Reproductive Development' respectively.
Dr Heli Johnstone, Prof. Vicki Stone and Dr Gary Hutchison have had a review article accepted for publication in Toxicological Science entitled; The biological mechanisms and physicochemical characteristics responsible for driving fullerene toxicity.
05/10/09
The Centre welcomes Ali Kermanizadeh, a new PhD student to the team. Ali joins the 'People' research progamme and will work on the FP7 project ENPRA to assess the toxicity of a panel of engineered nanoparticles in both the liver and kidney.
Research
Through research, the Centre for Nano Safety aims to identify whether a variety of nanoparticles can enter the human body and cause harm. Our work also investigates the impact of different nanoparticles on other species such as microorganisms (e.g. bacteria), plants (e.g. algae), invertebrates (insects) that live in water, sediments and soil, as well as fish. If we can find out what characteristics of nanoparticles might make them toxic, this information can be used:
- by industry to design safer products,
- by regulators to generate legislation to protect humans and the environment, and
- by consumers to make informed choices.
Commercial activity
SAFENANO is a collaboration with the Institute of Occupational Medicine ( IOM ) designed to help industrial and academic communities to quantify and control the risks to their workforce, as well as to consumers, the general population and the environment, through both information provision and consultancy services.
The centre provides input into the SAFENANO project through the provision of advice and bespoke toxicity testing services for the nanotechnology industry.
Please get in touch if you are interested in finding out more about this area of our work or wish to utilise our expertise.