Official website: nanobiofaces.imi.hr

Project duration: 19.4. 2010. – 18.9. 2010.

Project coordinator: Ivana Vinković Vrček, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia  

Our role: Project Leader

Granted by: Unity through Knowledge Fund, program 2A

Total budget: 58.696,14 HRK

Project Partners:

Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia 

Institute of Chemistry – Analytical Chemistry, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria

Abstract: Research and development in the area of new nanomaterials has been given high priority as having an enormous economic potential. The metallic silver nanoparticles are most promising and can be exploited in medicine for burn treatment, dental materials, coating stainless steel materials, textile fabrics, water treatment, sunscreen lotions, etc. Experience from other contaminants and their release into the environment leads to the need for more information and a discussion of technology development from a preventative point of view. The size of a nanoparticle and its differentiation from ionic metal form are key parameters to be determined when attempting to predict the fate, and potential toxicological impact, of engineered nanoparticles released into the environment, which in turn requires robust and sensitive analytical methods. Therefore, the aim of this project is focused on development of spectrometry based method for separation of silver nanoparticles from ionic silver in different biological matrices. In addition, the methods developed within this project will be validated and analytical figures of merit will be determined to evaluate the suitability for routine applications.