The project:
The master project will focus on potential protective mechanisms of antioxidants on the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damages. Retinal cells (RPE, ARPE-19) and other standard cell lines (A549) will be exposed to oxidizing agents (e.g. tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBH) and H2O2), and antioxidant protection investigated by exposure to known antioxidants such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), ascorbic acid (vit C), and α-tocopherol (vit E) in comparison with CeO2-NPs. The formation of ROS and induction of oxidative damage will be assessed by proper assays e.g. DCFH-DA and γ-H2AX assays. The project can accept 1-2 students.
About NILU:
The project will be performed in NILU´s Health Effects Laboratory, located at Kjeller. NILU is one of the leading European institutes in environmental and climate research. Toxicological research at NILU is undertaken by the Health Effects Laboratory (HEL). The group consists of 6 scientists, 1 PhD student and 1 engineer, and section leader is Elise Rundén Pran (European registered toxicologist). The main areas of interest for HEL are nanotoxicity, genotoxicity, advanced in vitro models, risk assessment, and adverse outcome pathways, and HEL is partner in many international and national projects. Supervisors: Elise Rundén Pran and Eleonora Longhin.