In vitro metallic nanoparticles toxicity investigation in healthy and tumor cells

• Grant number: 11/08464-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2011
• End date: May 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Cellular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Valtencir Zucolotto
• Grantee: Thomás Michelena Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Nanotechnology has developed rapidly over the last decade, with the use of nanoparticles as one of the most important areas of application, such as in imaging systems, diagnosis, biosensors, and in the industrialization of various household products. However, knowledge around the potential toxic effects of nanoparticles on humans and the environment is still scarce. The toxicity of gold nanoparticles, for example, has become an expanding area of research in recent years, according to its application in the medical field. Studies have been performed to determine its potential genotoxic effects, by examining the extent of DNA damage in healthy and cancerous cells. Nanoparticles are increasingly being associated with biomolecules and involved in great applications in an area called Nanomedicine. This project aims to investigate the in vitro toxicity of metallic nanoparticles, gold ones initially, in healthy human cells, L929 fibroblast, and the Hep2 cancerous strain (human larynx carcinoma) through cytotoxicity assays. Due to the rapid commercialization of nanoparticles, there is urgent need for a supervision of the products already on the market by health authorities, investments in safe researches, and open discussion of major social impact. (AU)