CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

The scientific community admits in a general way that nanomaterials (NMs) are those made up of materials with at least one of their spatialdimensions less than 100 nm. Thus, it is possible develop nanomaterial with only one dimension in the nanoscale (i.e.: nanosheets), twonanoscale dimensions (i.e.: nanotubes) and three nanoscale dimensions (i.e.: nanoparticles). At these sizes, the materials show very specialphysical-chemical properties due mainly to their high specific surface area, which means that they can possess high reactivity and a very highnumber of possible interaction points. These would be more complex considering that nanomaterials would be solid, porous or hallow, crystallineor amorphous, organic or inorganic and any combination of them. Moreover, nanomaterials can be subjected to various surface functionalization.Nanomaterials has a long history. Indeed, they were found in structures obtained more than one thousand years ago. Although, the continuegrowing interest and development experienced nowadays is mainly due to the ability to engineer, manipulate and image systems in thenanoscale.The synthesis of nanoparticles is generally carried out under controlled thermodynamic conditions and from atoms or molecules. In thisway, nanoparticles especially designed for applications in a wide range of technologies that affect the electronics, telecommunications, medical,pharmaceutical, chemical, automotive, aerospace and energy industries, among many others, can be obtained. Unlike, there are nanoparticlesthat are unintentionally produced, such as productions during combustion processes. In all cases, the physical and chemical properties areextremely important, since they will determine the correct function of the nanoparticles or the products that contain them as well as their degreeof toxicity or safety.As a result, these NPs possesses new properties not completely known yet. For example, they can cause toxicity through mechanisms notdescribed so far, ranging from the simple physical union to the cells to the triggering of complex processes that lead to an elevation of oxidativestress. On the other hand, the properties of these NPs will generate new advances in science and technology. For example, they can interactwith therapeutic molecules, reach specific organs or penetrate cells by various mechanisms. Thus, study the fate and effect nanomaterialsis important not only from the point of view of toxicology but also from the possible use of NPs in therapeutic formulations.This thematic issue gathers information from the Fate and Effects of Nanomaterials with and emphasis in the potential therapeutic uses.Moreover, it also generates a forum for discussion of nanotoxicological effects, including the effect in different biological systems (i.e.: insect,fish and cells).