Environmental nanoplastics (eNPs) represent an urgent global concern due to their ubiquitous presence and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health. Derived from the breakdown of larger plastics, eNPs exhibit unique physicochemical properties, including nanoscale size, high reactivity, and the ability to penetrate cellular barriers. These characteristics, combined with their interactions with biological matrices, make eNPs a significant yet poorly understood threat.

The NanoBreak project aims to fill critical knowledge gaps in understanding the transformation, fate, and biological impacts of environmentally aged nanoplastics (eNPs). The project emphasizes the significance of studying eNPs, which undergo transformative processes such as UV photodegradation and biofilm formation, leading to increased toxicity and enhanced interactions with biological systems. NanoBreak employs cutting-edge models and methodologies, including human liver organoids (h-LOs) and zebrafish embryos, as complementary systems to evaluate eNP effects under biologically relevant conditions.

Human liver organoids, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, mimic the complexity and functionality of the liver. These models enable NanoBreak to study eNP bioaccumulation, metabolic transformation, and impacts on detoxification pathways. Furthermore, they provide valuable insights into intercellular interactions in both healthy and pre-damaged liver states. Zebrafish embryos, recognized for their genetic similarity to humans and transparency, offer a robust in vivo platform to investigate eNP effects on early development, epigenetic modifications, and transgenerational inheritance. Together, these dual models deliver a comprehensive understanding of the molecular and systemic effects of eNPs.

NanoBreak employs a spatial multi-omics approach, integrating metabolomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics, to uncover the mechanisms driving eNP toxicity. This approach provides high-resolution insights into how eNPs disrupt metabolic pathways, gene expression, and epigenetic regulation. Beyond direct toxicity, the project explores transgenerational impacts, offering a deeper understanding of how eNP-induced stressors influence individual organisms and future generations.

The project employs innovative methodologies, including Raman spectroscopy and NanoSIMS, that enable detailed analysis of eNP interactions, transformations, and degradation in biological environments. By leveraging these advanced tools, NanoBreak bridges gaps between molecular-level changes and organism-wide phenotypes, establishing a paradigm for predictive toxicology and human health risk assessment.

NanoBreak’s findings will contribute to regulatory frameworks and strategies for mitigating plastic pollution. By aligning with international initiatives, such as the EU Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals, the project supports the development of safer materials and evidence-based policies to protect ecosystems and public health. NanoBreak not only advances scientific understanding but also sets the stage for sustainable solutions to the growing crisis of nanoplastics in the environment.

This project is financed by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS).
Project ID: Strateški projekt STR-0001
Duration: 1.7.2025 – 30.6.2030