Nanoparticles are contained in cosmetics, textiles, cleaning agents, sprays, packaging, as well as in food and food supplements and arrive daily in our bodies. Nanoparticles also play an increasing role in medicine. Currently, due to lack of knowledge and lack of model systems, researchers can not sufficiently predict the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (abbreviation ADME for English: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) of synthetic nanomaterials in the human organism, which is of great importance for the safety assessment of these smallest particles (up to 100 nm size).

With the help of the so-called multimodular microchip-based multiorgan platform of Fraunhofer IBMT, the pathway of nanomaterials through the body can now be simulated and important data can be gained in order to develop a nanoPBPK model (PBPK: abbreviation for physiologically based pharmacokinetic).

In addition to the multimodular platform itself, the Fraunhofer IBMT is developing new in vitro models for the investigation of human toxicological effects of nanomaterials, e.g. on the liver and investigates the barrier properties of nanomaterials in the lungs and intestines. The cell models are cultivated in the newly developed microfluidic modules and crosslinked with each other, so that a toxicological assessment of the nanomaterials along the path through the body can be done.

The research consortium consisting of science and industry partners is responsible for this results in the EU research project HISENTS (High level integrated sensor for Nanotoxicity screening). It is supported by the European Commission (EU) under the "NanoSafetyCluster" program with 6.3 million Euro.

Source:
https://www.ibmt.fraunhofer.de/en/ibmt-presse-uebersueber/presse-HISENTS-2016-11-23.html