Computational Nanotoxicology

The development of computational methods that support human health and environmental risk assessment of engineered nanomaterials has attracted great interest because the application of these methods enables us to fill existing experimental data gaps. However, considering the high degree of complexity and multifunctionality of engineered nanoparticles, computational methods originally developed for regular (i.e., classic) chemicals cannot always be applied explicitly in nanotoxicology. Thus, the main idea of this book is to discuss the current state of the art and future needs in the development of computational modeling techniques for nanotoxicology. The book focuses on methodology. Among various in silico techniques, special attention is given to (i) computational chemistry (quantum mechanics, semi-empirical methods, density functional theory, molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics); (ii) nanochemoinformatic methods (quantitative structure–activity relationship modeling, grouping, read-across); and (iii) nanobioinformatic methods (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics).

The rapid expansion of the nanotechnology field raises concerns, like any new technology, about the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials. This book addresses the gaps relating to health and safety issues of this field and aims to bring together fragmented knowledge on nanosafety. Not only do chapters address conventional toxicity issues, but also more recent developments such as food borne nanoparticles, life cycle analysis of nanoparticles and nano ethics. In addition, the authors discuss the environmental impact of nanotechnologies as well as safety guidelines and ethical issues surrounding the use of nanoparticles. In particular this book presents a unique compilation of experimental and computational perspectives and illustrates the use of computational models as a support for experimental work. Nanotoxicology: Experimental and Computational Perspectives is aimed towards postgraduates, academics, and practicing industry professionals. This highly comprehensive review also serves as an excellent foundation for undergraduate students and researchers new to nanotechnology and nanotoxicology. It is of particular value to toxicologists working in nanotechnology, chemical risk assessment, food science, environmental, safety, chemical engineering, the biological sciences and pharmaceutical research.

As the application of nanotechnology in the myriad disciplines of science and engineering--from agriculture, pharmaceuticals, material science, and biotechnology to sensors, electronics, and mechanical and electrical engineering--brings benefits it also can produce serious threats to human health and the environment that must be evaluated. The unique properties of nanomaterials make them different from their bulk counterparts. In addition to such unique properties, the nanometric size of nanomaterials can invite some detrimental effects on the health and well-being of living organisms and the environment. Thus, it is important to distinguish nanomaterials with such ill effects from nanomaterials with no or minimum toxicity. Nanotoxicology: Toxicity Evaluation, Risk Assessment and Management covers issues such as the basic principles of nanotoxicity, methods used for nanotoxicity evaluation, risk assessment and its management for nanomaterial toxicity with a focus on current trends, limitations, challenges, and future directions of nanotoxicity evaluation. Various experts from different countries discuss these issues in detail in this book. This will be helpful to researchers, educators, and students who are interested in research opportunities for avoiding the environmental and health hazards of nanomaterials. This book will also be useful for industrial practitioners, policy makers, and other professionals in the fields of toxicology, medicine, pharmacology, food, drugs, and other regulatory sciences.

Computational Toxicology for Drug Safety and a Sustainable Environment is a primer on computational techniques in environmental toxicology for scholars. The book presents 9 in-depth chapters authored by expert academicians and scientists aimed to give readers an understanding of how computational models, software and algorithms are being used to predict toxicological profiles of chemical compounds. The book also aims to help academics view toxicological assessment from the lens of sustainability by providing an overview of the recent developments in environmentally-friendly practices. The chapters review the strengths and weaknesses of the existing methodologies, and cover new developments in computational tools to explain how researchers aim to get accurate results. Each chapter features a simple introduction and list of references to benefit a broad range of academic readers. List of topics: 1. Applications of computational toxicology in pharmaceuticals, environmental and industrial practices 2. Verification, validation and sensitivity studies of computational models used in toxicology assessment 3. Computational toxicological approaches for drug profiling and development of online clinical repositories 4. How to neutralize chemicals that kill environment and humans: an application of computational toxicology 5. Adverse environmental impact of pharmaceutical waste and its computational assessment 6. Computational aspects of organochlorine compounds: DFT study and molecular docking calculations 7. In-silico studies of anisole and glyoxylic acid derivatives 8. Computational toxicology studies of chemical compounds released from firecrackers 9. Computational nanotoxicology and its applications Readership Graduate and postgraduate students, academics and researchers in pharmacology, computational biology, toxicology and environmental science programs.

Since the first publication of this book in 2007, the field of nanoscience and nanomedicine continues to grow substantially. This second edition, Nanotoxicology: Progress toward Nanomedicine, enlists internationally recognized experts to document the continuing development and rationale for the safe design of engineered nanomaterials (ENM). This includes new improved characterization endpoints, screening, and detection methods for in vitro and in vivo toxicity testing. These tools also contribute greatly to nanosafety research applied to nanomedicines. Topics include The impacts of nanotechnology on biomedicine, including functionalization for tissue-specific targeting, the biointeractions of multifunctional nanoparticle-based therapy, and the ability to control specific physicochemical properties of nanoparticles The requirements for proper detection, measurement, and assessment both for workplace exposure and in consumer products—with a focus on potential health and safety implications Predictive modeling, using quantitative nanostructure activity relationships to predict the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of nanomaterials in the body Specific methodologies, imaging, and techniques to assess nanomaterials from the manufacturing process to nanomedicine applications Tools for assessing nanoparticle toxicity and the limitations of detection methods for assessing toxicity in both in vivo and in vitro systems and at the single cell and tissue levels Toxicity of nanomaterials to specific organ systems, cell–based targeting to tumors, and other biomedical applications The difficulty of conducting risk assessments and the need for addressing knowledge gaps, especially with long-term studies A roadmap for future research The development of nanotechnology-based products must be complemented with appropriate validated methods to assess, monitor, manage, and reduce the potential risks of ENM to human health and the environment. This volume provides a cogent survey of advances in this area by a well-respected and diverse group of international scientists.

The expanding field of nanotechnology is now one of the most promising areas of science. However, because some nanoparticles can have a negative impact on human health and the environment, the design of novel materials must always be accompanied by a comprehensive risk assessment. Until now, the information on the methods available has been fragmented and incomplete. This book is the first to provide a comprehensive review of recent progress and challenges in the risk assessment of nanomaterials by empirical and computational techniques. Topics covered include: benefits versus risks, carbon based nanomaterials, environmental detection and quantitative analysis, chemometric modelling, human exposure assessment, toxicity testing, nano-QSAR, risk assessment strategies, policy and regulatory frameworks.

This book provides that knowledge needed to introduce individuals to the most important research and content on nanotoxicology in nanobiomedicine. Nanotechnology is helping to considerably improve, even revolutionize many technology and industry sectors: information technology, homeland security, medicine, transportation, energy, food safety, and environmental science, among many others. There is an urgent need for a general reference textbook that presents the most recent information on the toxicity and its effects in all these sectors, biomedicine in particular. It includes historical information, nanotoxicology by subject area and or disease, sources of nanomaterials, drug delivery systems and more. Scientists, researchers, and students in all fields that use nanotechnology will find this book essential reading.

The Handbook of Nanotoxicology, Nanomedicine and Stem Cell Use in Toxicology provides an insight into the current trends and future directions of research in these rapidly developing scientific fields. Written by leading scientists and experts, the Handbook will be of interest to various scientific disciplines including toxicology, medicine, and pharmacology, as well as food, drug, and other regulatory sciences.