About this Research Topic
The increased contact with nanomaterials in our daily lives, as part of consumer products, derived from pollution, or in an occupational context, raises concerns regarding their potential adverse effects on humans and the environment. Under the next-generation risk assessment (NGRA) framework, new advanced human cell-based in vitro models with improved predictive value are in need of nanosafety assessments. These models allow a more meticulous replication of the human situation than conventional models, providing better ground for collecting more relevant data, without relying on animal testing. With the support of artificial intelligence, the analysis of complex omics data unveils new mechanistic insights that can be used to schematize the step-by-step sequence of events triggered by a chemical. Due to the practical and economical impossibility of testing every new nanomaterial, alternative strategies increasingly rely on grouping, read across, and other computational approaches to provide predictive information on their potential hazard.
The main goal of this research topic is to take a step further in the quest to understand the mechanisms by which certain nanomaterials may exert adverse effects, to better predict, prevent, or treat them. The development of superior in silico/in chemico/in vitro models and methodologies is a key step in this investigation, to promote the robustness of the data on the mechanisms of nanotoxicity and to support risk assessment. The application of existing methodologies to new (or not previously studied) nanomaterials, alone or in combination with environmental pollutants, can also help achieve this goal. The analysis and modeling of omics data can generate new mechanistic models of NM effects which can be used to build/reconstruct adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) and integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATAs). The development of strategies to overcome the adverse effects triggered by nanomaterials can bring extra confidence and support to the collected mechanistic data.
Original research and critical review manuscripts on the following topics (but not limited to) are welcome:
- Development of in chemico, in vitro, or in silico models for application in nanotoxicology in the framework of NGRA; Development of mechanistic models of nanomaterials effects based on the analysis and modeling of omics data; AOP reconstruction.
- Development and/or application of new or improved analytical methods for the characterization of the toxicological profile of nanomaterials.
- Collection of new mechanistic knowledge on nanotoxicity-related events; combined effects of nanomaterials and other environmental contaminants; new approaches to treat the adverse effects triggered by nanomaterials.
The main goal of this research topic is to take a step further in the quest to understand the mechanisms by which certain nanomaterials may exert adverse effects, to better predict, prevent, or treat them. The development of superior in silico/in chemico/in vitro models and methodologies is a key step in this investigation, to promote the robustness of the data on the mechanisms of nanotoxicity and to support risk assessment. The application of existing methodologies to new (or not previously studied) nanomaterials, alone or in combination with environmental pollutants, can also help achieve this goal. The analysis and modeling of omics data can generate new mechanistic models of NM effects which can be used to build/reconstruct adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) and integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATAs). The development of strategies to overcome the adverse effects triggered by nanomaterials can bring extra confidence and support to the collected mechanistic data.
Original research and critical review manuscripts on the following topics (but not limited to) are welcome:
- Development of in chemico, in vitro, or in silico models for application in nanotoxicology in the framework of NGRA; Development of mechanistic models of nanomaterials effects based on the analysis and modeling of omics data; AOP reconstruction.
- Development and/or application of new or improved analytical methods for the characterization of the toxicological profile of nanomaterials.
- Collection of new mechanistic knowledge on nanotoxicity-related events; combined effects of nanomaterials and other environmental contaminants; new approaches to treat the adverse effects triggered by nanomaterials.
Keywords: nanosafety, in vitro, in vivo, in chemico, in silico, integrated approaches for testing and assessment
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
