Biological Responses to Nanoscale Particles: Molecular and Cellular Aspects and Methodological Appro

1.     Manufacturing (methods) and characterization (with respect to

 1.1     Metal and oxide nanoparticles (Au, Ag, ZnO, SPIOs, Silica.....)             

 (M. Epple et al., C. Graf, E. Rühl, St. Barcikowski) 

  1.2    Quantum dots and quantum rods

         (A. Eychmüller, H. Weller et al. )

   1.3     Carbon nano tubes

    (M. Kappes, KIT)

 1.4   Polymer particles

        (K. Landfester et al.)

       1.5   Surface functionalized and complex ligand shell particles

       (W. Parak et al.)

    1.6   Stability of NP emulsions and particle agglomeration

        (M. Maskos, M. Epple, H. Hoffmann (EPFL Lausanne))

 2     Interactions of nanoparticles with proteins

 2.1    Formation, growth dynamics and stabilities of protein coronae

(G. U. Nienhaus et al.)

2.2  Protein selectivity in protein adsorption

        (R. Tenzer, R. Stauber)

       (Iseult Lynch (U. Birmingham) et al.)

 3.1    Transport across air-liquid interfaces

     (C.M. Lehr, Helmholtz-Institut für Pharma. Forsch., Saarbrücken, H.J. Galla, Münster)

    3.2     Cellular uptake mechanisms (including adhesive interactions and

         3D Fluorescence Microscopy)

(B. Rothen et al., G.U. Nienhaus)

 3.3     The role of particle surface charge and membrane elasticity in membrane

 transfer

   3.4  Localization in cells and sub-cellular compartments using state-of-

          the-art imaging techniques incl. super-resolution microscopy

          (E. Rühl, C. Graf.....)

4      Cellular responses and health effects

4.1     Cellular defense, ROS formation and cytotoxicity

(V. Stone, Heriot-Watt Edinburgh)

4.2   The inflammasome

         (K. Landfester, V. Mailänder)

        4.3    Interactions with lung cells, fate and translocations

         (B. Rothen et al. Fribourg (CH))

 4.4    Interactions with skin cells and skin

        (J. Lademann et al.)

 4.5    Fate and translocations in GI track

      4.5    Nanomedicine