Uptake of Nanoplastics into Organoids (UNO)

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<b><i>Please note that this is not a call for tenders but a publication announcing the Contracting authority’s <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/40287" target="_blank">intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle valueprocedure. </a> </i></b><br></br>The EU scientific advisory bodies such as Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA 2019) and the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (SAM, 2019) have recommended a number of policy actions in order to respond to the growing public concern on micro/nanoplastic pollution. One of their recommendations was related to the identification and prioritization of plastic items that can pose high risks to humans and the ecosystem. In particular, the lack of understanding on the degradation process of plastic products into micro and nanoplastics and the impact of plastic debris on human health requires attention by the legislative /regulatory system. Whereas biological barriers protect humans from the uptake of microplastics, risks for the internalization of plastic particle into the human circular system can increase with a decrease in size of the particles. The limited information on the impact of nanoplastics on human health requires the development of strategies, tools and methods in order to identify those nanoplastics occurring in environmental mixtures that can be harmful to humans. The study object of the call for tender aims to explore organoids for their potential to serve as in vitro model for toxicological studies. Furthermore, the study should help us to understand whether nanoplastics can be harmful to vulnerable populations such as patients with pre-damaged intestinal tissue or manifested diseases.