Search

Several critical differences between the “nano” forms of substances and their “bulk” counterparts may necessitate additional considerations in regulatory frameworks to adequately address potential risks posed by nanomaterials (NMs). The aim of this presentation is to address the problematics of assessing and managing risks of NMs by the means of EU chemicals regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals). It is based on the results of the SKEP-ERA net project “Nanomaterials in REACH”, which during year 2010 gathered international expertise on chemicals regulation, physico-chemical properties and toxicity of NMs, and environmental and technology policy. Analysis and discussion points cover following topics: definitions concerning nanomaterials, REACH provisions for registration of NMs as substances, and in articles (including “phase-in”/“non-phase-in” status, mass based tonnage thresholds, “prioritization” criteria, classification as hazardous, percentage thresholds in articles), substance identification, scope of data requirements, standardization and methodology for human and environmental hazards identification and risk characterisation. Examples of resulting recommendations include: (1) adopt a single overarching definition of NMs for regulatory purposes; (2) treat “nano” forms as different from their “bulk” counterparts and as “non-phase in” substances; (3) differentiate “nano” forms with the same core chemistry using differences in the physicochemical parameters; (4) introduce mandatory list of physicochemical properties for substance identification; (5) introduce alternatives to the tonnage triggers; (6) develop register of comprehensive information on the presence of NMs in articles; (7) extend a scope of data requirements with nano-specific data requirements; (8) develop nano-specific criteria for inclusion in the SVHC list., Not duplicate with DiVA 627351QC 20230202

We recently reported oil the strong interactions of zoospores of the green alga, Ulva linza with all arginine-rich oligopeptide self-assembled monolayer (SAM) [Biofouling 2008, 24, 303-312], where the arginine-rich peptide induced not only high spore settlement, but also a form of abnormal settlement, or "pseudo-settlement", whereby it proportion of spores do not go through the normal process of surface exploration, adhesive exocytosis, and loss of flagella. Further. it was demonstrated that both the total number of settled spores and the fraction of pseudosettled spores were related to the surface density of the arginine-rich peptide. Here we present a further investigation of the interactions of zoospores of ulva with a set of oligomeric, de nom designed, arginine-rich peptides, specifically aimed to test the effect of peptide primary structure on the interaction. Via variations in the peptide length and by permutations in the amino acid sequences, we gain further insight into the spore-surface interactions. The interpretation of the biological assays is supported by physicochemical characterization of the SAMs using infrared spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and contact angle measurement. Results confirm the importance of arginine residues for the anomalous pseudosettlement, and we found that settlement is modulated by variations in both the total length and peptide primary structure. To elucidate the Causes of the anomalous settlement and the possible relation to peptide-membrane interactions, we also compared the settlement of the "naked" zoospores of Ulva(which present it lipoprotein membrane to the exterior without a discrete polysaccharide cell wall), with the settlement of diatoms (unicellular algae that are surrounded by it silica cell wall), onto the peptide SAMs. Cationic SAMs do not notably affect settlement (attachment), adhesion strength, or viability of diatom cells, Suggesting that the effect of the peptides on zoospores of Ulva is mediated via specific p, The previous status of this article was Manuscript.

Identification of settlement cues for marine fouling organisms opens up new strategies and methods for biofouling prevention, and enables the development of more effective antifouling materials. To this end, the settlement behaviour of zoospores of the green alga Ulva linza onto cationic oligopeptide self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) has been investigated. The spores interact strongly with lysine- and arginine-rich SAMs, and their settlement appears to be stimulated by these surfaces. Of particular interest is an arginine-rich oligopeptide, which is effective in attracting spores to the surface, but in a way which leaves a large fraction of the settled spores attached to the surface in an anomalous fashion. These 'pseudo-settled' spores are relatively easily detached from the surface and do not undergo the full range of cellular responses associated with normal commitment to settlement. This is a hitherto undocumented mode of settlement, and surface dilution of the arginine-rich peptide with a neutral triglycine peptide demonstrates that both normal and anomalous settlement is proportional to the surface density of the arginine-rich peptide. The settlement experiments are complemented with physical studies of the oligopeptide SAMs, before and after extended immersion in artificial seawater, using infrared spectroscopy, null ellipsometry and contact angle measurements.

The settlement and adhesion of Navicula perminuta and Ulva linza to methyl-terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of increasing chain length has been investigated. Organisms were allowed to settle onto the monolayers and were subsequently exposed to hydrodynamic shear stress in order to determine their adhesion strength. Results show that as the SAM structure changes from amorphous to crystalline (C14), there is a marked change in the adhesion of N. perminuta and U. linza. Given that the SAMs in the series all exhibit similar contact angle behaviour and surface energy, it is hypothesized that the lubricity of the surface plays a role in determining the surface adhesion.

The settlement and adhesion of Navicula perminuta and Ulva linza to methyl-terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of increasing chain length has been investigated. Organisms were allowed to settle onto the monolayers and were subsequently exposed to hydrodynamic shear stress in order to determine their adhesion strength. Results show that as the SAM structure changes from amorphous to crystalline (C14), there is a marked change in the adhesion of N. perminuta and U. linza. Given that the SAMs in the series all exhibit similar contact angle behaviour and surface energy, it is hypothesized that the lubricity of the surface plays a role in determining the surface adhesion.

The settlement and adhesion of Navicula perminuta and Ulva linza to methyl-terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of increasing chain length has been investigated. Organisms were allowed to settle onto the monolayers and were subsequently exposed to hydrodynamic shear stress in order to determine their adhesion strength. Results show that as the SAM structure changes from amorphous to crystalline (C14), there is a marked change in the adhesion of N. perminuta and U. linza. Given that the SAMs in the series all exhibit similar contact angle behaviour and surface energy, it is hypothesized that the lubricity of the surface plays a role in determining the surface adhesion.

The settlement and adhesion of Navicula perminuta and Ulva linza to methyl-terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of increasing chain length has been investigated. Organisms were allowed to settle onto the monolayers and were subsequently exposed to hydrodynamic shear stress in order to determine their adhesion strength. Results show that as the SAM structure changes from amorphous to crystalline (C14), there is a marked change in the adhesion of N. perminuta and U. linza. Given that the SAMs in the series all exhibit similar contact angle behaviour and surface energy, it is hypothesized that the lubricity of the surface plays a role in determining the surface adhesion.