Radiochemical methods in micro- and nanoplastic research
Our laboratory uses radiochemical methods to understand the biodistribution and health effects of micro- and nanoplastic pollution. These widespread environmental contaminants have been found in a variety of human organ samples and are suspected to impact the health of people. We develop radiolabeling methods for polymeric materials and use molecular imaging to follow these contaminants in mammalian models.
Radiolabeling of polymeric materials = ‘radioplastics’
Micro- and nanoplastic pollution consists of several different polymeric materials. We develop radiolabeling techniques for the vast variety of micro- and nanoplastics with minimal physicochemical perturbation to the materials themselves.
PET imaging of radioplastics
Positron emission tomography (PET) provides a non-invasive and extraordinarily sensitive method to interrogate the in vivo behavior of micro- and nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations. In addition, PET boasts the added advantage of providing real-time, quantitative data, thereby facilitating longitudinal measurements of phenomena such as the retention of radioplastics in the gut and their ability to cross epithelial membranes.
