HARMLESS @ JRC Nanobiotechnology Lab Hands-on Training
The Nanobiotechnology Training and Capacity Building Week, hosted by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), took place from 18–22 November 2024 at the JRC Nanobiotechnology Laboratory in Ispra, Italy. As part of the JRC’s Open Access Initiative, the week provided participants with a unique opportunity to access cutting-edge research infrastructures and gain hands-on experience in advanced nanobiotechnology methods.
Susanne Resch, from BNN, was selected as trainee and had the privilege to move from her desk back to the bench for a week, spending a lot of time in the lab using various techniques and instruments that are crucial when working with nanomaterials, assessing their safety and studying their interaction with biological systems.
Program Highlights
The week was divided into three specialized topics, allowing participants to deepen their expertise in critical areas of nanotechnology:
1. Detection and Characterization of Micro(nano)plastics in Media:
Participants explored advanced techniques to identify micro- and nanoplastics in different media contributing to human exposure, such as food and drinking water.
2. Characterization of Nanomaterials and Their Biological Interactions:
This track focused on analyzing nanomaterials in complex matrices (such as food) and understanding their interactions with biological systems, including New Approach Methodologies, different cell models and organoids.
3. Characterization of Nanomedicines:
Attendees learned how to synthesize, detect and analyze nanomedicines, specifically lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and liposomal drugs which are central to RNA therapeutics and disease treatments.
Hands-on Training and Collaboration
Throughout the week, participants engaged in intensive hands-on training sessions led by JRC experts. Key activities included cell culture preparation for analytical methods, single-particle ICP-MS for nanoparticle detection, and advanced microscopy techniques such as SEM and TEM. In particular, the sessions on lipid nanoparticle (LNP) synthesis and characterization, including DLS measurements and encapsulation efficiency analysis, provided valuable insights into RNA therapeutic delivery systems.
Other standout sessions included:
- Hydrophobicity Index Measurement, following the OECD test guideline for nanomaterial characterization
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and EDX for imaging and analyzing nanomaterials
- Workshops on intestinal organoid models, single-cell ICP-MS, and analytical ultracentrifugation
Participants also had the opportunity to work in groups, enhancing their practical skills and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. The training week brought together scientists, researchers, and early-career professionals from institutions across Europe and beyond, including the UK, Austria, Turkey, Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Croatia. Experts from the JRC’s Technologies for Health Unit led the sessions, sharing their knowledge and mentoring participants in State-of-the-Art methods and applications. The program emphasized practical applications of nanobiotechnology in environmental, biological, and medical fields, encouraging knowledge exchange and future collaborations among participants and trainers. The JRC Nanobiotechnology Training and Capacity Building Week 2024 was a resounding success, offering participants invaluable experience and access to cutting-edge nanobiotechnology research tools, which are also important building blocks for the HARMLESS Safe Innovation Approach to MCNMs & HARNs. The event exemplified the JRC’s commitment to fostering innovation, capacity building, and collaboration within the scientific community.
