Nanosilver And Cnt Nanocomposite Toxicology In An In Vivo Model D Melanogaster

The use of nanomaterials has increased exponentially over the past decade. There has long been a need to quickly, cost-effectively, and efficiently test their toxicity. Development of an in vivo fly model enables rapid toxicity assessment of life history parameters unavailable in in vitro models capable of finer discrimination of nanoparticle toxicity (Posgai et al. 2011).Carbon nanotubes have been used in generating nanocomposites with incredible structural strength, but under industrial applications may leach, creating the potential for human exposure. Silver nanoparticles have been used as surface antimicrobial agents in a number of applications, including water purification and undergarments. Their ingestion raises the concern of that they could alter the composition and/or function of gut microbiota as well as engender side-effects on eukaryotic tissues. Here these aspects of nanoparticle toxicity are assessed in a Drosophila nanotoxicology model.