NANOMMUNE 2008-2011

The NANOMMUNE project was launched on September 1st 2008 and will run for 3 years. The project is funded by the European Commission through the 7th Framework Programme by the funding scheme of Collaborative projects, in the area of Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and New Production Technologies (NMP). 

 

Background

Engineered nanomaterials (ENs) offer tremendous opportunities in industry, daily consumables, medicine, electronics and numerous other areas. However, there are considerable knowledge gaps concerning the potential hazardous effects of ENs on human health and the environment.

The NANOMMUNE partnership is committed to filling these knowledge gaps through a comprehensive assessment of ENs, with particular focus on effects on the immune system.

The main concept in the NANOMMUNE project is that the recognition versus non-recognition of ENs by immune-competent cells will determine the distribution as well as their toxic potential. Moreover, we aim to assess whether ENs interfere with key functions of the immune system in vitro and in vivo, such as macrophage engulfment of cellular (apoptotic) debris and antigen-presentation by dendritic cells to lymphocytes. Detailed physico-chemical characterization of ENs is also intergrated in the project.

 

Our multidisciplinary consortium will focus on:
  • the synthesis and detailed characterization of representative classes of ENs.
  • the monitoring of potential hazardous effects by in vitro and in vivo systems.
  • transcriptomics and oxidative lipidomics to determine nanotoxic signatures.
  • risk assessment of potential adverse effects of ENs on human health.

 

Aim

Through our comprehensive approach, which combines analytical procedures from different disciplines, we aim to establish a panel of read-out systems for the prediction of the toxic potential of existing and emerging ENs. Overall, the NANOMMUNE results will enhance the understanding of possible adverse effects of nanomaterials and will hopefully contribute to a continuous and sustainable growth of the nanotechnologies.