Module 7B: Nanotoxicology (SOMS5850)

Outline syllabus

1. Principles of toxicology: Bioaccumulation. Environmental toxicology (ecotoxicology).
2. Toxicology models: Structure-activity relationships. Toxicology prediction.
3. Experimental toxicology studies: Conventional bioassays. Dose-response studies. Cell culture studies. In vitro studies. Toxicology mechanisms.
4. Detoxification mechanisms: Cytochrome-P450 function. Biomarkers. Environmental biomarkers
5. Chemical speciation of dissolved species: Relation between chemical speciation and bioaccumulation and toxicology. Experimental studies. Models.
6. Importance of biological membrane in toxicology: Phase partitioning behaviour. Membrane models. Computer models. Membrane function.
7. Toxicology and bioaccumulation of particles: Ecotoxicology of particles in atmospheric and aqueous systems.
8. Environmental behaviour and speciation of particles: Particle-dissolved species relationships.
9. Introduction to nanomaterials: Biologically active nanomaterials eg Ag nanoparticles for anti microbial effects. "Safe" nanomaterials. SiO₂, TiO₂, ZnO, CaCO₃, peptide nanomaterials, latex particles.
10. General surface and colloid chemistry, principles, experimental techniques, surface potential, DVLO theory.
11. Characteristics of nanoparticles: size, charge, how stabilised, non-polar/polar. Physical behaviour in dispersion. Characteristics of nanomaterials in general.
12. Environmental behaviour of nanoparticles: Basic principles and evidence.
13. Case studies of nanomaterial biological activity: Carbon particles in air. Ag activity. Asbestos. TiO2 discharge in rivers and estuaries effects on biota..
14. Application of toxicology studies to study toxicology and bioaccumulation of nanomaterials.

Case study

Students will research and write a dissertation on the emergence of a new compound or material which initially is found to have tremendous beneficial effects to human health, the environment and/or technology but later has serious toxicological implications.

Teaching objectives

At the end of the course the students will have an understanding of:

• The general behaviour of dissolved and particulate species in the aqueous environment,
• Mechanisms of toxicity in the main classes of biological organisms,
• The relation between chemical speciation and toxicology,
• The experimental approach to toxicology.

Coursework and assessment

• 50% 2 hour exam
• 50% case study

Recommended reading

• "Introduction to Environmental Toxicology: Impacts of Chemicals Upon Ecological Systems", Wayne G. Landis, Ming-Ho Yu CRC Press
• "Nanotoxicology - Interactions of Nanomaterials with Biological Systems", Ed Yuliang Zhao and Hari Singh Nalwa, June 2006

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