The Journal of Nanobiotechnology published a special issue on the outcome of Switzerland’s five-year National Research Program on the “Opportunities and Risks of Nanomaterials” (NRP 64).  The editorial states that the Program’s primary goal was to investigate potential applications of existing nanomaterials in healthcare, the consumer industry, and in the environment, and to identify, characterize, and minimize the possible risks associated with their use.  The special issue includes the following articles:

• Effects of silica nanoparticle exposure on mitochondrial function during neuronal differentiation;
• Swiss National Research Programme “Opportunities and Risks of Nanomaterials” (NRP 64): key findings;
• Non-invasive continuous monitoring of pro-oxidant effects of engineered nanoparticles on aquatic microorganisms;
• Interaction of silver nanoparticles with algae and fish cells: a side by side comparison;
• Transformation of the released asbestos, carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes from composite materials and the changes of their potential health impacts;
• Interaction of biomedical nanoparticles with the pulmonary immune system;
• A critical review of the current knowledge regarding the biological impact of nanocellulose;
• Release of copper-amended particles from micronized copper-pressure-treated wood during mechanical abrasion;
• Lipid nanoemulsions and liposomes improve photodynamic treatment efficacy and tolerance in CAL-33 tumor bearing nude mice;
• Photoinduced effects of m-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin loaded lipid nanoemulsions on multicellular tumor spheroids;
• Critical review of the safety assessment of nano-structured silica additives in food;
• Vertical transport and plant uptake of nanoparticles in a soil mesocosm experiment;
• Effect of nanoparticles on red clover and its symbiotic microorganisms;
• Probabilistic modelling of prospective environmental concentrations of gold nanoparticles from medical applications as a basis for risk assessment; and
• Magnetic separation-based blood purification: a promising new approach for the removal of disease-causing compounds?

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