In a training, RiskGONE brings a simple and efficient guidance on how to determine the effective density of engineered nanomaterials – ENMs using volumetric centrifugation method (VCM).

In cellular assays, ENMs can form agglomerates in presence of cell culture media which change the size and the effective density of nanoparticles. This agglomeration can impact the biological effects of ENMs. This is why it is crucial to determine the effective density of ENMs to accurately estimate the delivered dose to cells.

Finished in 2021, PATROLS was an international project combining a team of academics, industrial scientists, government officials and risk assessors to deliver advanced and realistic tools and methods for nanomaterial safety assessment.

PATROLS achieved significant results over its lifetime and left a substantial legacy which can be used by industry, regulators and researchers to help move towards reducing animal usage in testing and in understanding how to test for realistic exposures to nanomaterials.

We have gathered some of the highlights of their work on nanomaterial hazard assessment:

PATROLS SOP Handbook: https://patrols-h2020.eu/publications/sops/index.php

Webinars for training: https://patrols-h2020.eu/publications/media-webinar/index.php

Factsheets (aimed both at scientists & policymakers): https://patrols-h2020.eu/publications/factsheets/index.php

A new RiskGone training material provides guidance on how to develop appropriate scientifically validated Nano-(Q)SAR/(Q)SPR models for the development of safe-by-design nanomaterials as well as regulatory purposes.

Nano-(Q)SAR/(Q)SPR models are an adaptation of (Q)SAR/(Q)SPR methodology for nanomaterials, where the models may be applied for nanoforms of the same substance or nanoforms of different substances. The specificity of nanomaterials requires a special approach in a few aspects: (i) appropriate characterization of nominal nanoforms and in the test conditions, (ii) descriptors especially enabling the distinction of nano forms of the same substances, and (iii) appropriate definition of applicability domain of Nano-(Q)SAR/(Q)SPR models.

In a new training material for RiskGone, a neural network provides an overview of QSAR models and how they can be used. QSAR models define the relationship between the variance in molecular structures and the variance in a modelled biological activity for a group of sufficiently similar compounds. Models can be used to obtain missing data describing the physical chemical properties or activity of compounds. They can predict the modelled activity for untested chemicals without the necessity of providing experiments. The advantages of QSAR methods include a reduction in the cost of products on the market, a reduction of time needed to conduct experiments, a reduction of the need for experimental research using animals, and a reduction in waste caused by experiments.

Watch the presentation to find out more! 

Dates: 15^th-19^th March 2021

Location: remote/virtual

The Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), coordinator of RiskGONE, is providing a practical online course/video learning on the Comet assay.

This training workshop represents the second edition of a series of trainings to be organised as part of RiskGONE`s training activities. The first edition of the course was physically held at NILU`s premises in Kjeller, Norway, on 17th-20th February 2020. Then, RiskGONE project partners joined the course from Swansea University, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Bergen, and they were trained on different assays for use with engineered nanomaterials.

This course welcomes participants from H2020 projects Twinalt and VISION, besides RiskGONE and the H2020-NMBP-13 network.

Due to the restrictions now imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the second edition of the course was re-arranged to a remote format. The course will take place for 5 days.

On the first day, the background and principles of the assay will be introduced in a series of lectures.

On the second day, the technical aspects of the assay will be presented. Part of the day will be dedicated to the planning of a real experiment. Trainees will have the opportunity to perform themselves in their own laboratory, with the constant support of the trainers.

On the following days, a hands-on experiment will be performed. In the morning, the daily work will be presented thought videos created at NILU, in which the trainers show how the experiment is performed step-by-step. In this phase, trainees will have the opportunity to interactive live with the trainers, ask questions and discuss the technical aspects of the experiment. In the afternoon, after viewing the videos, trainees will have the possibility to physically train on the experiment in their laboratory. All along, trainers will be available online to support trainees if needed.

Training materials, including the step-by-step videos, will be shared among all project partners and might also form the basis of teaching and training material to be used beyond the project course.

The training’s agenda can be accessed here

The Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), coordinator of RiskGONE, hosted a training workshop at its premises in Kjeller, Norway, from 17-20 February. Project partners were trained on different assays for use with engineered nanomaterials which will be part of the Round Robin exercise and testing later in the project.

The training was targeted at those project partners who will work to deliver more efficient and reliable human hazard and environmental risk assessment safety testing strategies in order to improve risk decision making tools for nanomaterials.

Analysis of results from Comet Assay

The training week focused on the Comet Assay (CA), Colony Forming Efficiency (CFE) and Alamar Blue (AB) assay. The CA is a genotoxicity test, CFE and AB are cytotoxicity tests. Besides the transfer of knowledge, the aim of the training week was the harmonization of the procedures among the different laboratories.

The partners participating to the training were Swansea University, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Bergen. Alongside the training activities, this week has been an occasion for the partners to discuss and plan future activities.

This training workshop is the first in a series of trainings to be organised as part of RiskGONE. The training material which was developed will be shared among all project partners and might also form the basis of teaching and training material to be used beyond the project course.

About the Project

RiskGONE is an EU H2020 project aiming at providing solid procedures for science-based risk governance of nanomaterials, based on a clear understanding of risks and risk management practices.