The next-generation mRNA vaccines developed by BioNTech-Pfizer, and, the colloquially called Moderna vaccine scream innovation. mRNA vaccines are a clever way of tricking the body into producing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, without actually introducing the whole viral particle, but just a strand of its genetic material (RNA). Once inside the host cells, these mRNA strands are…

In 2020, the OECD released a new set of guidelines for the assessment of fate and ecotoxicity of nanomaterial, one of which is the guidance document (GD) No. 317. It deals with aquatic and sediment ecotoxicity testing of nanomaterials (NM). The document provides instructions on conduction of the ecotoxicity assessment as well as guidance for…

Last week we informed about the existing variety of definitions for nanomaterials (NM) among the different EU-regulations. As previously indicated these differences do also have a direct impact on the data to be evaluated under the respective regulation. Together with a selection of NM definitions, this information was previously published by the VdMi. Today, we…

An alternative to conventional plant protection products (PPPs) may be seen in the development of engineered nanoparticles as “nanopesticides”. Those can include the encapsulation of active ingredients as a nanocarrier, a nano-formulation of the active ingredient (AI), or the development of nano-engineered structures that render pesticidal properties (Kookana et al., 2019). The ultimate effect of…