Informatics to Support the Health Implications and Applications of Nanotechnology

The rapidly emerging field of nanotechnology presents health implications for researchers and workers who may be exposed to novel nanomaterials, as well as health and other applications for early detection, treatment, prevention, and control of disease, and for improved products and systems. An expansion of informatics efforts is needed within the research and public health communities to ensure that risks are minimized and benefits are realized. One example of an ongoing nanoinformatics initiative is the NCI caNanoLab web-based portal. The grid-based data services of caNanoLab allow researchers to share information on nanoparticles including the composition of the particle, the characterizations of the particle from physico-chemical (e.g. size, molecular weight) and in vitro (e.g. cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity) nanoparticle assays, and the protocols of these characterizations. caNanoLab is currently deployed at the NCI, the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory, Washington University, Stanford, and Georgia Tech. The project is working with the community to expand the knowledge base on in vivo characterizations of nanoparticle toxicology and pharmacokinetic properties. Other nanotechnology informatics efforts include the NIOSH nanotechnology topic page, which includes guidance on safe handling of nanomaterials, results of toxicity testing, and a compilation of nanoparticle properties in the NIOSH Nanoparticle Information Library. Challenges for the community are to understand and improve the linkage among existing informatics initiatives; establish standards to support terminology, characterization and testing protocols, and data acquisition and validation; and provide incentives for the community to contribute to robust platforms for nanotechnology health and safety informatics.