Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

Solubilization and Bio-conjugation of Quantum Dots and Bacterial Toxicity Assays by Growth Curve and Plate Count
Published on: July 11, 2012
How physico-chemical characteristics of nanoparticles cause their toxicity: complex and unresolved interrelations
Abstract:
The increased use of and interest in nanoparticles (NPs) have resulted in an enormous amount of NPs with different compositions and physico-chemical properties. These unique properties not only determine their utility for (bio-medical) applications, but also their toxicity. Recently, "nano-researchers" became aware of the importance of determining the characteristics since they might be predictors of their toxicity. Currently, we face a large set of (non-coordinated) experiments with miscellaneous objectives resulting in a large quantity of available (and often incomplete) data, which hamper the unraveling of the complex interrelated NP characteristics with experimental results. Here, we try to link different critical physico-chemical characteristics separately with toxicity observed in both in vitro and in vivo models.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
Toxic Reactions: Overview
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Drug toxicity: Drug–Drug Interaction
Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Drug Toxicity: Overview
Toxicokinetics: Overview

