Project R-12975

Tiered testing of the cytotoxicity effects of micro- and nanoplastics using intestinal in vitro models (Research)

The objective of this research is an in depth mechanistic understanding of the effects of micro- (MPs) and nanoplastic (NPs) in an intestinal triculture of Caco-2/HT29-MTX-E12/Raji B cells and in organoids. Current risk assessment fails due to our lack of knowledge on how plastic particles exert their effects. In this project, we aim to explore the relationship between the physicochemical characteristics of MPs and NPs, and the alterations they induce in the different intestinal cells. Such a detailed understanding of nanoparticle toxicity is a necessary first step in function of future risk assessment strategies, f.e. as a part of properly defined adverse outcome pathways in terms of nanoparticle type and species.

01 June 2022 - 02 June 2026