NanoPASS: an easy-to-use user interface for nanoparticle dosimetry with the 3DSDD model

Area of Science:

• Nanotoxicology
• In vitro testing
• Biophysics

Background:

• Nanoparticles exhibit unique diffusion and sedimentation behaviors in cell culture media, influencing their availability to cells during in vitro nanotoxicology studies.
• Accurate dosimetry is crucial for determining nanoparticle exposure to cells, ensuring experimental comparability, and correctly interpreting results in nanotoxicology.
• Current in silico dosimetry models are often limited by accessibility issues and the need for specialized bioinformatics knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the limitations of existing in silico dosimetry models in nanotoxicology.
• To develop a user-friendly interface for a previously published 3D nanoparticle dosimetry model.
• To enhance the accessibility and application of in silico dosimetry in nanotoxicology research.

Main Methods:

• Development of an easy-to-use interface for the 3DSDD dosimetry model.
• The new interface is named NanoPASS (NanoParticle Administration Sedimentation Simulator).
• The NanoPASS interface is made freely available to the research community.

Main Results:

• NanoPASS provides a simplified approach to applying in silico dosimetry for nanoparticle behavior in cell cultures.
• The tool facilitates the calculation of nanoparticle fractions reaching cells in vitro.
• The free availability of NanoPASS lowers the barrier for researchers to utilize sophisticated dosimetry models.

Conclusions:

• NanoPASS significantly improves the ease of use for in silico dosimetry in nanotoxicology.
• The tool is expected to enhance the interpretation and comparability of in vitro nanotoxicology results.
• Widespread adoption of NanoPASS can advance the field of nanotoxicology by standardizing exposure assessment.