Project 3: Liver

Liver1
Comparative survival of 2D and 3D cultures using Live/Dead stain. Live cells are stained green (retain calcein) and dead cells are stained red (permeable to propidium iodide).

For the Liver Project in the Predictive Toxicology Center, we have developed the Nortis microphysiometer system populated with rodent and human liver cells as in vitro test systems that can be used to evaluate uptake, metabolism and elimination of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). We focus on those ENMs that have practical applications in photonics, optics, solar cells, sensors, imaging, and anti-microbial activity. These are quantum dots (QDs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Importantly, we assess liver models from different inbred strains of mice, allowing us to predict the influence of genetic determinants on differentiation and ENM toxicity.