Linking nanomaterial physico - chemical properties with cellular uptake and toxicity

Nanotechnology is one of the key technologies of the 21st century. Already by now, many products containing manufactured nanomaterials (NMs) have entered the market. Most industrial applications are based on just a few NM types, mostly metals and metal oxides. However, by varying size, shape or surface chemistry a large number of variants can be produced. Variations of physico-chemical parameters can result in altered cellular uptake and NM toxicity. Therefore, each NM variant has to be tested and assessed individually, in a case-by-case approach. Considering time and costs of toxicological testing as well as the high number of possible endpoints this approach seems not feasible. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand in more detail how specific physico-chemical properties influence NM cellular uptake and toxicity.