Project title: Impact of Nanoplastic Particles on Intestinal Epithelium Health Using a Vascularized Gut-on-a-Chip Model

Project No.: lzp-2025/1-0217

Period: 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2028

Project costs: 300 000,00 EUR

Principal Investigator: Dr. biol. Artūrs Ābols

Project summary:

Nanoplastics (NPLs), small plastic particles formed from the environmental breakdown of larger plastics, are known bioavailable contaminants. Their size enables them to cross biological barriers, interact with epithelial and immune cells, and transport toxic additives and biofilm-forming microbes. These properties highlight the urgent need to understand their effects on human health, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract (GI), a primary site of exposure through ingestion.

Despite mounting evidence linking NPLs to health issues like immune response and inflammation, their impact on gut health using physiologically relevant models remains poorly characterised. The objective of the project is to develop a novel proof-of-principle gut-on-chip model to evaluate the impact and toxicity of NPLs on gut health, focusing on bioaccumulation, translocation, and barrier integrity at the endothelium, epithelium, mucus and immune interface.

The project will result in new insights on the impact of NPLs using a novel physiologically relevant gut-on-chip model, which will be further used for applications in food safety, biomedical research, and efforts to reduce reliance on animal testing. Quantifiable results of the project are 1 Q1/Q2 scientific publication, 1 national project proposal submissions, 3 international conference presentations, 6 public dissemination events, and the active involvement of 1 MSc and 1 BSc student in advanced biotechnology research.

Information published 05.01.2026.

Progress of the project:

1 January 2026 – 31 March 2026

During the first three months, the main focus was on initial project setup and establishing the methodological framework. Work began on developing a characterization strategy for nanoplastic particles (NPLs), including the selection of appropriate materials, sizes, and concentrations for subsequent experiments. In parallel, preparatory activities for the use of microfluidic systems were carried out, including testing experimental conditions and planning the integration of NPLs into the chip system. In the laboratory, preparations were also initiated for the development of the gut-on-chip model, ensuring the availability of the necessary cell lines, materials, and equipment.

Information published 31.03.2026.