Suchergebnisse

Abstract
Paint formulations are complex mixtures of both dissolved and particulate components, both organic and inorganic. Amorphous silica nanoparticles are included to make the paint layer dirt-repellent. Over entire life cycle of the paints containing such silica nanoparticles, however, their complex multicomponent composition may raise several concerns as to their hazard when exposed to humans and environment, notably due to the potential release of the incorporated nano-objects. To mitigate such concerns, several Safe-by-Design target specifications can be performed to provide revised/modified paint formulations with reduced potential risk. Within EU H2020 funded project, HARMLESS (grant agreement 953183), a specific industrial case study focuses on worker exposure measurement at the industrial production site of silane modified silica nanoparticles and consumer exposure measurement during sanding of the painted surfaces containing such silica nanoparticles. First results indicate that the tested paint samples (with and without silica nanoparticles) have strong tendencies to generate airborne nano-objects during their sanding. However, the fraction of silica in the overall chemical composition of the airborne nano-objects is currently being investigated. A fraction of the dust generated during the paint sanding is being analysed for its hazard via advanced in vitro approaches combined with a battery of toxicological endpoint analyses. Based on the results, if the exposure concentration of silica nanoparticles is found to be exceeding its nano reference value (i.e. 40,000 cm-3 TWA) and exhibits deleterious biological impact, the size and surface of silica nanoparticles will be modulated accordingly by keeping an optimum balance between their functionality and risk

The study of marine natural products for their bioactive potential has gained strength in recent years. Oceans harbor a vast variety of organisms that offer a biological and chemical diversity with metabolic abilities unrivalled in terrestrial systems, which makes them an attractive target for bioprospecting as an almost untapped resource of biotechnological applications. Among them, there is no doubt that microalgae could become genuine "cell factories" for the biological synthesis of bioactive substances. Thus, in the course of inter-laboratory collaboration sponsored by the European Union (7th FP) into the MAREX Project focused on the discovery of novel bioactive compounds of marine origin for the European industry, a bioprospecting study on 33 microalgae strains was carried out. The strains were cultured at laboratory scale. Two extracts were prepared for each one (biomass and cell free culture medium) and, thus, screened to provide information on the antimicrobial, the anti-proliferative, and the apoptotic potential of the studied extracts. The outcome of this study provides additional scientific data for the selection of Alexandrium tamarensis WE, Gambierdiscus australes, Prorocentrum arenarium, Prorocentrum hoffmannianum, and Prorocentrum reticulatum (Pr-3) for further investigation and offers support for the continued research of new potential drugs for human therapeutics from cultured microalgae.

The study of marine natural products for their bioactive potential has gained strength in recent years. Oceans harbor a vast variety of organisms that offer a biological and chemical diversity with metabolic abilities unrivalled in terrestrial systems, which makes them an attractive target for bioprospecting as an almost untapped resource of biotechnological applications. Among them, there is no doubt that microalgae could become genuine cell factories for the biological synthesis of bioactive substances. Thus, in the course of inter-laboratory collaboration sponsored by the European Union (7th FP) into the MAREX Project focused on the discovery of novel bioactive compounds of marine origin for the European industry, a bioprospecting study on 33 microalgae strains was carried out. The strains were cultured at laboratory scale. Two extracts were prepared for each one (biomass and cell free culture medium) and, thus, screened to provide information on the antimicrobial, the anti-proliferative, and the apoptotic potential of the studied extracts. The outcome of this study provides additional scientific data for the selection of Alexandrium tamarensis WE, Gambierdiscus australes, Prorocentrum arenarium, Prorocentrum hoffmannianum, and Prorocentrum reticulatum (Pr-3) for further investigation and offers support for the continued research of new potential drugs for human therapeutics from cultured microalgae. ; Peer reviewed

The study of marine natural products for their bioactive potential has gained strength in recent years. Oceans harbor a vast variety of organisms that offer a biological and chemical diversity with metabolic abilities unrivalled in terrestrial systems, which makes them an attractive target for bioprospecting as an almost untapped resource of biotechnological applications. Among them, there is no doubt that microalgae could become genuine "cell factories" for the biological synthesis of bioactive substances. Thus, in the course of inter-laboratory collaboration sponsored by the European Union (7th FP) into the MAREX Project focused on the discovery of novel bioactive compounds of marine origin for the European industry, a bioprospecting study on 33 microalgae strains was carried out. The strains were cultured at laboratory scale. Two extracts were prepared for each one (biomass and cell free culture medium) and, thus, screened to provide information on the antimicrobial, the anti-proliferative, and the apoptotic potential of the studied extracts. The outcome of this study provides additional scientific data for the selection of Alexandrium tamarensis WE, Gambierdiscus australes, Prorocentrum arenarium, Prorocentrum hoffmannianum, and Prorocentrum reticulatum (Pr-3) for further investigation and offers support for the continued research of new potential drugs for human therapeutics from cultured microalgae. ; This work was supported by the grants EU FP7-KBBE-3-245137 (MAREX), CTQ2014-55888-C03-01 (the Spanish MINECO) and by the Academy of Finland (PT, grant no. 277001). The authors thank Dr. Santiago Fraga (Oceanographic Centre of Vigo, IEO, Spain) for the generous gift of microalgae strains and Pirjo Käpylä for the valuable technical assistance in the high throughput anticancer assays carried out at VTT. ; Peer reviewed

Advanced material development, including at the nanoscale, comprises costly and complex challenges coupled to ensuring human and environmental safety. Governmental agencies regulating safety have announced interest toward acceptance of safety data generated under the collective term New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), as such technologies/approaches offer marked potential to progress the integration of safety testing measures during innovation from idea to product launch of nanomaterials. Divided in overall eight main categories, searchable databases for grouping and read across purposes, exposure assessment and modeling, in silico modeling of physicochemical structure and hazard data, in vitro high-throughput and high-content screening assays, dose-response assessments and modeling, analyses of biological processes and toxicity pathways, kinetics and dose extrapolation, consideration of relevant exposure levels and biomarker endpoints typify such useful NAMs. Their application generally agrees with articulated stakeholder needs for improvement of safety testing procedures. They further fit for inclusion and add value in nanomaterials risk assessment tools. Overall 37 of 50 evaluated NAMs and tiered workflows applying NAMs are recommended for considering safer-by-design innovation, including guidance to the selection of specific NAMs in the eight categories. An innovation funnel enriched with safety methods is ultimately proposed under the central aim of promoting rigorous nanomaterials innovation. ; acceptedVersion ; Peer reviewed