Understanding how tiny plastic particles and chemicals affect our health
Official title: A whole animal model for investigation of ingested nanoplastic mixtures and effects on genomic integrity and health
Funded at St. Mary's University · NIH-11132646 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how very small plastic particles, called nanoplastics, might carry environmental chemicals into living systems and affect health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Mary's University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $168,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM150406-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132646 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational animal model work does not involve direct patient participation, but its findings are relevant to anyone concerned about environmental health and nanoplastic exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients will not receive direct medical treatment or immediate health benefits from this specific animal model investigation.
What this research studies
Tiny plastic pieces, known as microplastics, are everywhere in our environment, and even smaller nanoplastics can enter our body's cells. These nanoplastics can pick up harmful chemicals from the environment, making them a potential health concern when consumed. We don't yet fully understand the health risks of ingesting these nanoplastics, especially when they carry other chemicals. This work uses a small worm, C. elegans, as a model to learn how nanoplastics and the chemicals they carry might cause DNA damage and affect overall health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help us better understand the potential health risks of nanoplastics and environmental chemicals, guiding future efforts to protect human health.
How similar studies have gone: Research into the health effects of nanoplastic exposure is currently limited, making this a novel approach to understanding these environmental contaminants.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Mary's University
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harr, Jennifer — St. Mary's University
- Study coordinator: Harr, Jennifer
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Nanoplastics and pollutants: how tiny plastic particles affect biology and DNA in a living organism
A small animal model (C. elegans) is used to study how ingested nanoplastics carrying environmental chemicals may damage DNA and influence health.
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Investigating the effects of ingested nanoplastics on health using a model organism
This study is looking at how tiny plastic particles, called nanoplastics, might harm our health by carrying harmful chemicals into our bodies, using a small worm called C. elegans to help understand the risks, especially since these plastics are showing up in human tissues.
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This study is about getting a special machine called a flow cytometer for St. Mary's University, which will help students and researchers learn more about cells and how they work, especially in areas like immunology and cancer.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.