For many applications of nanomaterials the risk-benefit ratio is not clear. CBNI can advice companies as to how to improve the safety profile of their proposed nanomaterials, can help develop alternatives in cases where regulatory approval will be very challenging, and can advice on pertinent considerations at early design stage.

Nanoparticles can be surface functionalsied with PEG or other coating molecules, and/or targeting ligands such as ApoE, albumin, transferrin, etc.

Building on over 10 years of experience in the interactions of engineered (nano)materials living systems, we can work with companies to help them design optimised delivery strategies that overcome non-specific binding of proteins and other issues that reduce targeting efficacy.

Having build up an approach to quantitative nanosafety assessment, and detailed protococols, Standard Operating Procedures and Troubleshooting guides, we can offer companies / partners advice on how to tailor these for their specific needs (particle / formulation etc.).

Particles can abe applied through the full battery of OECD tests for physico-chemical and in vitro assessment, however not under GLP. Suitable for early stage assessment rather than final dossier preparation.

Advice on REACH, Cosmetics directive, nano definition, environmental and water directives etc., as well as for applications of nanomaterials in food, agriculture, energy, construction, packaging etc.

Evalutation of internalised dose, localisation, clearance (if any), and effect on cell cycle of nanoparticles in range of cells and barrier models. Targeting can be evaluated via protein arrays and/or binding studies using DCS for example.

Assessment of size, stability and composition of nanoparticle protein corona in situ in complex biofluids (cell culture media, blood, cell lysate, lung lavage fluid etc.) Can also assess lipid and sugar composition.

Assessment of size, size distribution and evolution over time in situ in complex dispersion media (e.g. plasma, blood, cell culture medium, river water, cremes, etc.).

Labelled or unlabelled particles in a range of sizes / shapes / surface charges / geometries, including silica, polystyrene, gold, silver, titania, ceria, etc.

Optimisation / development of biologically suitable dispersion strategies for nanomaterials for range of applications.

Multi-parametric approach to assessing impacts of nanoparticles on lysosomes, mitochondria, nucleus and overall cell health. A range of assays for oxidative stress, apoptosis etc., have been optimised for nanomaterials.

Platform for multiparametic assessment of impacts of nanoparticles on cells, zebra fish embryo, etc.

Zebra fish embryo, interactions with natural organic matter, interactions with worms, daphnia etc.

State of the art mass spectrometry resource (core facility).

State of the art transcriptomics facilities (core facility).

Malvern ZetaSizer, NanoSIGHT NTS, Differential Centrifugal Sedimentation (DCS) etc.

Established cell culture models for gut and blood-brain barriers, as well as multiple representative cell lines.

NextGen Protein Expression Factory - robotic high throughput automated protein expression.

Batch-to-batch variability, fluorescent and near-infrared labelling, Surface functionnalisation with ligands etc. Silica, polystyrene, gold, silver, titania etc.

Phenomenological and microscopical models of nanoparticle-protein, nanoparticle-cell and nanoparticle-barrier interactions.

Determined using 1D PAGE / agarose gels, mass spectrometry, Differential Centrifugal Sedimentation, etc.

Sonic tip, Sonication bath, bead mill, range of biocompatible dispersants, etc.

Malvern ZetaSizer NS, or via NanoSIGHT.