Visualisation of synthetic nanoparticles in cells and small organisms - A contribution to the identification of toxic potency and toxic mechanisms

Investigation of the nanoparticle (NP) uptake in cells, tissues or whole creatures provides important information about the toxic potency of NPs. Life-imaging, fixed sample analysis, metal element analysis as well as combinations thereof have been be used to visualise entry of NPs into and distribution in selected model organisms. Visualisation of a variety of NPs in several cell types (mostly mammalian) as well as a small organism (nematode Caeno-rhabditis elegans) by means of electron microscopy (TEM, REM) as well as fluorescence microscopic techniques (TIRF, cLSM) have been carried out. Results will be given in this presentation.