By BioNanoNet
The characterisation of nanoparticles and the investigation of their behaviour in biological environments are our essential research areas. Nanoparticles interact with different types of biomolecules and these interactions are known to influence their effects towards biological entities. Thanks to well established collaborations, we have access to different types of in house produced nanoparticles and numerous instruments for characterisation and investigation of their biological effects including uptake and intracellular localization. This includes for example a FACSCanto II (BD Biosciences), a LEO 912 AB Omega transmission electron microscope (Zeiss), a TCS SP5 AOBS confocal laser scanning system (Leica Microsystem), a ZetaSizer Nano ZS (Malvern Instruments), a NanoSight® LM10 (Malvern Instruments) and a nanoLC-MS/MS-based proteomics using Q-Exactive technology (Thermo Scientific). The research is focused on bio-nano interactions especially with proteins (model proteins such as serum albumin, but also recombinantly produced allergens) and other compounds that are known to come in contact and interact with nanomaterials (such as additional ingredients in consumer products). Detailed uptake profiles of nanoparticles will be established in different human cell lines with a major focus on the lung epithelium and the immune system. The resulting data from these studies will give a valuable contribution to the field of nanosafety research.
