[conteúdo apenas disponível em inglês]
When manufactured nanomaterials (NMs) encounter any environment, they are immediately covered by molecules that form a corona, i.e. a layer around the NM. To date, NM research and development of standardization protocols have mostly focused on pristine and in-use NM. The in situ corona formation on NMs can include binding of abiotic inorganic and organic material. As a result, organisms do not directly interact with bare NMs (pristine), but rather with corona-coated NMs. Nevertheless, there is very little knowledge in this area, especially for environmental species. Thus, developing an understanding of the interactions between the NM, the corona-forming molecules, and the biological impact may very well be critical in evaluating risks associated to NMs. This could subsequently determine the future acceptance of NMs in commercial products.
NM-OREO’s mission is to advance knowledge by providing useful models that support a realistic assessment of environmental risks posed by NMs. In a broader context, this will support the sustainable exploitation of nanotechnology in Europe, the US and worldwide. To address this issue, a highly interdisciplinary team has joined forces to measure, understand and model the impact of coronas on NM interacting with both environmental and biological matrices.