Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Development of Tools
Speakers talked about progress and innovations in the development of tools—standard test and
reference materials, methods to measure ENMs in complex media, exposure and effects models, and
informatics—to address the research priorities. Vincent Hackley, of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, described progress in detecting and measuring ENMs. He noted the challenge posed by
the lack of adequate characterization of materials in the published toxicologic literature. That problem
frustrates efforts to link ENM properties with biologic responses. There was discussion of how the
research community can meet the needs for reference materials better in light of the fact that there is a
gray area between traditional reference materials and “study” materials that are sufficiently homogeneous,
widely available, and well characterized.
Jamie Lead, of the University of South Carolina, described integration of experimental data and
their use in informing environmental-exposure models. Exposure, aggregation, bioavailability, and
toxicity models are available. Dr. Lead commented that the models are more conceptual than quantitative
and do not treat complex media and systems accurately. There is a need to obtain better data (coordinated
with these models) so that values can be assigned to parameters and models can be validated.
Nathan Baker, of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, commented on the increasing
number of informatics tools available for EHS nanotechnology research. A number of communities have
been established to facilitate development and use of the tools, including the US-EU CoR for
Databases/Ontology and Modeling, the National Cancer Informatics Program Nanotechnology working
group, and the National Nanomanufacturing Network Nanoinformatics meetings. There are efforts to
collect and archive metadata for data-mining and meta-analyses, such as the Nanomaterial Registry, the
Nano-Bio Interactions Knowledgebase, and the caNanoLab. However, data-mining is complicated by
several factors, including the sparseness of datasets collected on different materials with different
conditions and the lack of systematic variation in collected data. More incentives are needed for data-
sharing and for integration of the various informatics tools. During the discussion, the role of journal
editors in helping to tackle some of the issues was addressed. Dr. Baker commented that in the future it
will be essential to provide a standard format for sharing data but that at this point it is important to
engage the communities in the discussion.
Perspectives of Federal Agency Technical-Program Managers
Technical-program managers in EPA, NIEHS, NSF, and NIOSH discussed current and planned
research efforts to address high-priority research needs, including how agency research projects and
extramural funding efforts are being shaped by emerging data.
Dr. Bahadori described some of the current EHS nanotechnology research efforts in EPA,
including projects in fundamental material characterization, fate and transport of materials, ecosystem
health, and human health. Dr. Bahadori commented that the committee's first report will not have an
immediate impact on inhouse research, but it does provide an opportunity to influence emerging fields of
research through requests for application.
Barbara Karn, NSF, described efforts to move the EHS nanotechnology research program toward
more complex generations of materials. Dr. Karn discussed program directions, including detailed
material characterization; prevention of adverse effects; development of instrumentation, sensors,
methods, and standards; a systems approach; and research to support sustainability. She described the
partnership of NSF and the Consumer Products Safety Commission that was established in 2012 and
expressed a hope that other research agreements can be established.
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