Innovation in research on micro- and nanoplastics and their effects on human health

We are a multidisciplinary team with expertise in a wide range of fields including food sciences & technology, allergy, immunology, biomedicine, biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, machine learning, paediatrics and others, cooperating across Europe to investigate the relationship among micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) and allergic diseases.

The Project

Untangling the multifaceted relationship of exposure routes, risks and health impacts of MNPs.

Improving MNP detection

We plan to develop innovative tools to measure and characterize MNPs and potential contaminants in food, water and air.

MNPs combined with pollutants

We are committed to understanding the effect of MNPs combined with potentially harmful environmental contaminants adhering to their surfaces and finding their way into the human body.

The relationship with allergic diseases

We aim to examine a possible link between MNPs and their role in food allergy and allergic asthma.

CUSP Research Cluster

Imptox is one of five projects in the EU Horizon 2020 programme that will work together with the European Commission's Joint Research Center to form The European Research Cluster to Understand the Health Impacts of Micro- and Nanoplastics, CUSP. It is the cluster’s overall goal to contribute with new scientific knowledge and know-how to the European Strategy for Plastics.

Discover by playing

Microplastic Madness: Catching PlastikPunk is an educational videogame for kids and adults alike. Through a captivating journey of question-solving and coding challenges, players can test their knowledge about microplastics, discover the research carried out in Imptox and help the iconic character NanoNinja to catch PlastikPunk and free the world from plastic trash. Don’t hesitate and sign up for this exhilarating advenuture!

Highlights

24/11/2023
PROJECT PUBLICATION

Unveiling the Invisible: Nanoplastics' Impact on Human Cells Explored

In a recent study, scientists from UGent reveal how ultrafine plastic particles, both pristine and weathered, influence the energy metabolism of human intestinal cells, opening new doors to understanding their health impacts.

21/11/2023
CUSP NEWS

Dive into the latest CUSP News for a wealth of insightful updates!

Welcome to the fifth edition of CUSP News, a comprehensive showcase highlighting the progress achieved by the various CUSP projects and working groups.

10/11/2023
EVENT

Imptox hosts distinguished talk by University of British Columbia Professor, Sepideh Pakpour

Facilitated by Imptox partners Univie and MUW, the event will take place on November 15th at the University of Vienna, delving deep into Prof. Pakpour’s research on microplastics and health in Canada.

08/11/2023
PROJECT NEWS

Microplastics & Allergies: SCH Researchers in a Series of Popular Science Articles

Imptox scientists at the Srebrnjak Children’s Hospital have illuminated the complex world of microplastics and allergies through a compelling series of popular science articles on the X-Lab portal.

The Imptox Team

Imptox is a multidisciplinary consortium of 12 partners from 8 European countries.