Nanoparticle and Multielement Quantification in Single Cells: Exploring New Analytical Methods

Project Information

NanoMuSiC

Grant agreement ID: 101023319

DOI

10.3030/101023319

Project closed

EC signature date 23 March 2021

Start date 1 May 2022

End date 31 October 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 131 104,80

EU contribution

€ 131 104,80

Coordinated by

BUNDESANSTALT FUER MATERIALFORSCHUNG UND -PRUEFUNG
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NanoMuSiC (Nanoparticle and Multielement Quantification in Single Cells: Exploring New Analytical Methods)

Reporting period: 2022-05-01 to 2023-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Analysis of trace elements in cells (naturally present or taken up by them, e.g. nanoparticles) by classical methods only provides average values of cell populations but hides the individual behavior of the cells. For this reason, the chemical analysis of single cells is an expanding research area that has become increasingly important to reveal the mechanisms of various physiological processes.

In this framework, ultra-sensitive and accurate methods to quantify trace elements and the uptake of elemental species and nanoparticles in single cells are scarce and urgently required.
The NanoMuSiC Project focuses on developing analytical methods for multielemental quantification as well as elemental species and metal-based nanoparticle uptake in single cells. These methods will boost investigations towards cellular elemental composition and elemental species-cell and nanoparticle-cell interactions and thus may be of enormous relevance for many research fields.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Although many advances have been made in recent years, little data is available in the literature regarding multielements, elemental species, and ENPs in single cells and their influence on naturally present elements due to scarce dedicated ICP-MS instrumentation capable of introducing intact single cells and measuring more than one element simultaneously.

In this context, the work carried out during the timeframe of the project focused on the development of an accurate and sensitive new analytical method based on ICP-ToF-MS to determine multielements in single cells of algae and evaluate their responses to the deprivation of vital elements.

SC-ICP-TOF-MS proved to be a powerful tool to investigate the elemental chemical profile of algae and may collaborate to a better understanding of complex mechanisms involved in an important phenomenon related to climate change. Exploitation and dissemination measures will continue to be undertaken after the termination of the project once the results have not been published yet.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The work carried out in this MSCA project addressed the multielement quantification in individual algae cells by single cell ICP-ToF-MS analysis which is essential to identify and elucidate cell phenomena and to study relevant physiological mechanisms. Besides, it addressed one of the major current concerns related to climate change. Although some changes have been needed during the project timeframe, it significantly expanded the basis for future successful developments and applications of the single cell ICP-MS technique. Therefore, the future publication of all valuable results obtained in this project may be of high interest to researchers and companies across a wide range of important research topics, such as environmental, ecotoxicology, toxicology, biomedicine, etc.

Quantification of multielements in algae single cells by ICP-ToF-MS