Support for FP7 Marie Curie IEF - NANOMEGA

As nanotechnology and materials science have progressed, large quantities of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) have been produced. NPs promise to revolutionize our lifestyles by improving many industrial and consumer products. However, there is considerable concern about their unknown impact on human health: with their unique physicochemical properties (size less than 100 nm). NPs differ from the corresponding bulk material. Here we address the urgent need to determine the potential effects of NPs on human h ealth and environmental safety. This research will provide information on mechanisms of action of metal oxide NPs, and specifically on their effect on risk of cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary diseases. The results will contribute to protecting European pub lic health, and will be crucially important for formulating policy on safety of nanotechnology. The ambitious research tasks provide an excellent opportunity for the career development of Dr. Rinna in this new field. By developing innovative techniques mi micking in vivo conditions, carrying out experiments on potential NP toxicity, and investigating how cells and DNA can be protected against injury, she will acquire an impressive range of expertise. By supervising master and co-supervising PhD students, s he will improve her management and teaching skills and thus establish a base for a longer term position as a research team leader in Norway. The following tasks will be carried out: Task 1: Cell culture model development, modification and optimisation of techniques; Task 2: Mechanistic study to investigate potential toxicity of NPs through inflammation, and links with oxidative stress, DNA damage and repair, and genotoxicity; Task 3: The protective effect of an omega-3 fatty acids against NPs injury: in v itro model for the inflammatory effect of NPs and for potential modulation of DNA repair genes. The project started 01.04.2010 and will finish 31.03.2013.