Focus on the health risks of new materials
Hanna Karlsson, Professor of Toxicology, studies whether particles found in our environment can be harmful to us. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt, Uppsala University
“We need to get much better at mapping the risks that new materials may pose at an early stage,” says Hanna Karlsson, Professor of Toxicology. In her research she focuses on particles, safe products, clean air and a healthy population.
Every day, we are exposed to a diversity of chemical substances and particles. The development of new advanced materials, including nanomaterials, and the escalating presence of microplastics in both the environment and the human body are making it increasingly urgent to extend our knowledge of how these materials might affect our health.
“Identifying toxic effects and preventing health risks linked to particles is a thoroughly interdisciplinary enterprise,” says Hanna Karlsson.
Clarify different particle properties
Karlsson’s research group studies a wide spectrum of particles, from those generated during 3D printing and welding, to particles from tyre wear and microplastics, to those existing in environments such as airports and underground railways. A central focus is to clarify how different particle properties – for example, size – can influence their biological effects. Another important aspect is the development and evaluation of cell models that can help increase our knowledge about the health effects of particles while offering alternatives to animal experiments.
“Particles are complex entities that shift in both composition and structure depending on the environment in which they exist. This constantly raises new questions and needs for new knowledge from several different disciplines. A topical example concerns the nano- and microplastics generated by the widespread use of plastic materials. Our research covers both fundamental questions about the interaction between materials and biological systems, and applied studies aimed at providing scientific evidence for regulatory authorities,” Karlsson explains.
Safe products and cleaner air
The overall goals of the research can be summarised as the development of safe products, cleaner air and a healthier population. At the Uppsala Biomedical Centre, Karlsson is currently laying the foundations of the research team that will drive the work forward. Together with colleagues at the Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, she is developing a range of new ideas, related for instance to aerosol drug delivery.
Karlsson also works on modelling particle behaviour in the lungs, exposure at the air-liquid interface, and the assessment of skin-sensitising properties of chemicals.
Magnus Alsne