Mechanisms of Fibre Toxicity (cross-Unit project)

Carbon nanotubes used in modern manufacturing are physically similar to asbestos, and researchers are now tracking how these tiny particles trigger disease in the body. The problem is that asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer take 20 to 40 years to appear after exposure, meaning any harm from nanoparticles could remain hidden for decades. Current safety testing cannot predict long-term toxicity quickly enough to keep pace with new materials entering production. This project applies cutting-edge technologies to identify the specific biological mechanisms that turn a harmless particle into a dangerous one. If the research succeeds, manufacturers could redesign nanoparticles to be “safe by design” before they reach factories and consumers. That would reduce the risk of a future wave of lung disease similar to the one caused by asbestos, without slowing innovation in materials science, electronics, or medical devices. The work is primarily fundamental toxicology—understanding exactly how fibre shape, size, and chemistry drive harm—but the practical payoff would be a faster, more reliable way to screen new materials for long-term safety.