Assessment of toxicity of nanoparticles using insects as biological models.
Nanomaterials have become increasingly important in medicine, manufacturing, and consumer products. The fundamental understanding in effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on and their interactions with biomolecules and organismal systems have yet to be achieved. In this chapter, we firstly provide a brief review of the interactions between nanoparticles and biological systems. We will then provide an example by describing a novel method to assess the effects of NPs on biological systems, using insects as a model. Nanoparticles were injected into the central nervous system of the discoid cockroach (Blaberus discoidalis). It was found that insects became hyperactive compared to negative control (water injections). Our method could provide a generic method of assessing nanoparticles toxicity.
Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Yan
Y
Zhou
Aracely
A
Rocha
Carlos J
CJ
Sanchez
Hong
H
Liang
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D003058:Cockroaches; D005260:Female; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods*
D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles