Analysis of Micro- & nanoplastics and engineered Nanoparticles in human Placenta - MINAPLA

• Applicants: Dr. Sophia Andres; Privatdozentin Dr. Natalia Ivleva; Professorin Dr. Kerstin Leopold
• Subject Area: Gynaecology and Obstetrics ; Analytical Chemistry
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 555263888

Exposure of humans to particulate anthropogenic pollutants is rising as their usage and fields of application grow and with it concerns on health effects emerge. In this regard, research on air pollution in the past decades gave epidemiological evidence that prenatal exposure to environmental fine particles (<2.5 μm Ø) und ultrafeinen Partikeln (<0,1 μm Ø), which are mostly carbon-based particles – adversely affect foetal health and development resulting in increased perinatal mortality, pre-term birth and low birth weight. However, little is known about translocation and accumulation of such emerging particulate anthropogenic pollutants as engineered metal-based nanoparticles, small microplastics and nanoplastics in human placenta. And though human exposure to these pollutants is increasing, expectable levels of these pollutants in human placenta, mother’s blood and cord blood remain unknown. In this regard, the aim of the present project is the development and establishment of valid analytical methodologies to detect, quantify and characterise emerging particulate anthropogenic pollutants in human placenta and blood at low concentration of analytes as expected for real-word samples. Moreover, special attention will be drawn to the co-existence of metals and microplastics to evaluate the occurrence of Trojan-horse phenomenon.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants