Research Team: M. Bernardeschi, M.C. Lefevre, N. Chatterjee, G. Ciofani
Institution: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Pontedera, Italy & NanoSafety Group, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
Contact: margherita.bernardeschi@iit.it

This research poster demonstrates the innovative use of freshwater planarians (S. mediterraneaand D. japonica) as versatile bioindicators for nanomaterial toxicity assessment through the iCARE project. The study provides comprehensive evaluation methods including survival rate analysis, genotoxicity assessment using comet and diffusion assays, and neurobehavioral monitoring systems. Key findings reveal that while most nanoparticles maintain 100% survival rates after one week exposure, silver nanoparticles show significant toxicity, and preliminary results indicate increased DNA damage and reduced locomotor activity, demonstrating planarians' sensitivity as bridging models for nanotoxicity screening.

View the complete poster by downloading the PDF below.