Jin Y., Wu M., Zhao X.
University of North Dakota, US
Keywords: living cell, nanoparticle, toxicity
We have investigated the toxicity of nanomaterials to living cells at the cellular and molecular levels. Recently, nanomaterials have being rapidly developed and shown great potential for use in various bioapplications due to their unique optical properties and high surface-to-volume ratio. Among them, one of the most attractive potential applications is the use of nanomaterials in cancer therapy. However, current researches have not demonstrated whether nanomaterials are nontoxic to living system. Therefore, investigation of toxicity of nanomaterials to living cells is critically needed. We have studied the toxicity of nanomaterials to living cells from whole cell to molecular levels, such as the effects of nanomaterials on DNA damage, DNA repair activity, apoptosis, cell proliferation and death. Preliminary results have shown that nanomaterials have no apparent effects on survival in several types of living cells including lung epithelial cells A549 and Mardin-Darby canine kidney cells up to 72 hours. Our data also further demonstrate that nanomaterials do not cause significant DNA damage on specific bases or strand breaks against controls. We expect that this study will provide critical information for biotechnological and biomedical applications of nanomaterials.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Technical Proceedings of the 2005 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: May 8, 2005
Pages: 274 - 277
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Medical & Biotech
Topic: Biomaterials
ISBN: 0-9767985-0-6