Objective
Nanotechnology is already used in a huge variety of applications with a resulting potential environmental exposure. However, we are still lacking sound scientific knowledge on the ecological consequences for natural environmental systems of exposure to man-made nanoparticles (NPs). While standard ecotoxicity tests can be modified for hazard assessment of such NPs, the tests and therefore the conclusions address the wrong endpoints such as high-dose effects on survival and reproduction. This may have little relevance to possible effects on structure and function of natural ecosystems predicted to be exposed to low doses. Therefore the overall aim of this project is to link modern molecular biology and nano-ecotoxicology to address the interplay between effects of engineered NPs on microbial community structure and function and the consequent effects on their ecosystem function roles and rescilience.
By joining the disciplines of community ecotoxicology, modern molecular biology, high end NP characterisation techniques together and bringing their combined abilities to bear on natural microbial comunities collected from both aquatic and soil environments this project will contribute to an environmentally more realistic hazard and risk assessment of NPs for microbial communities. This project will use both true commercial and purpose designed examples of silver (Ag)- and zinc oxide (ZnO)-NPs both NP types being among the commercially most important NPs these days.
An additional focus will be set on systematic investigations of how effects are governed by the NPs fate and behaviour in relation to the respective environmental matrix and crucial abiotic key factors. The data will be submitted into a broader research context through major EU and UK-US projects analysing the environmental effects and hazards of NPs to contribute to the development of suitable hazard and risk assessment strategies for the special demands of NPs.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- social sciences sociology governance crisis management
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
SN2 1EU SWINDON WILTSHIRE
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.