Download Investigation of the health-risk of nanomaterials.

NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering
Research Project Write-up
Title of Project :
Investigation of the health-risk of nanomaterials
Name of Supervisor :
Valiyaveettil Suresh (Chemistry),
Manoor Prakash Hande (Physiology)
Contact Details:
[email protected]
Short Description
Nanomaterials, which include nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanorods and nanofilms are
increasingly being tested for their suitable applications in medicine and technologies such
as solar cells, common paints, display materials to name a few. Application such highly
structured materials is going to be increasing exponentially in the near future and the
chances of public coming in contact with them are enhanced considerably. However,
there is very little known about their health risk. Recently, we have demonstrated that at
high concentration of silver nanoparticles, there is considerable toxicity to human cell
lines and zebrafish.
The proposed program will extend our studies using various other nanoparticles and
establish a molecular mechanism Nanomaterials currently available for such study
include metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, metal nanorods, carbon
nanofibers and polymer nanofibers. We also have the capability to modify the surface of
these nanomaterials to suit their environment. In addition, such toxicity data will be very
useful towards developing new drug candidate for various diseases such as cancer.
Considerable attention will be given on this topic during the project.
This is a multidisciplinary project which allows the student to work in different
laboratories and have access to many facilities required for the project. Moreover,
training will be provided to handle the nanamoterials, usage of instruments and cell
interaction studies.