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Microfluidic platform to screen the toxicity of nanoparticles on the organism

In this project, we develop a microfluidic platform to investigate the effect of nanoparticles (<100 nm) on the alveolar-capillary interface. The lung-blood barrier is known as the most dangerous route for entry of those particles, and the smallest of them can reach the pulmonary alveoli which are sites of gas exchange with the blood. Little is known about the interactions of nanoparticles with this interface and the damages they may cause.

In the frame of a Nanonext NL project (Human Health Risks sub-program) we want to investigate the interactions between nanoparticles and the alveolar barrier. We reproduce this barrier by growing cells on both sides of a porous membrane: on a first approach we grow a monolayer of lung epithelial cells on one side, and endothelial cells mimicking the capillaries, on the other side. This is integrated in a microfluidic device for straightforward flushing of solutions. We will assess the accuracy of this on-chip model compared to conventional in vivo models. Subsequently, we will expose the outer part of this barrier model (epithelial cells) to various nanoparticles provided by partners of the NanoNext NL network, to investigate the potential damages caused by those.

Contact persons

Dr. Séverine Le Gac