Analytical chemist Bryant Nelson, who works at the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), specializes in the development of techniques to identify and quantify how nanomaterials interact with genetic material. In this Hangout, he speaks with managing editor Fenella Saunders about how engineered nanoparticles can damage DNA but can also be used to repair DNA or to fight cancer.

A Storify of the Tweets detailing the discussion is shown below.

Double-Edged Nanoparticles: DNA Disrupters and Cancer Fighters

Analytical chemist Bryant Nelson, who works at the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), specializes in the development of techniques to identify and quantify how nanomaterials interact with genetic material. A Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer, Nelson discusses how engineered nanoparticles can damage DNA, but can also be used to repair DNA or to fight cancer.

1. 

   We're live tweeting #AmSciGHO featuring Bryant C. Nelson, analytical chemist @usnistgov  https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cfaeh9rn422iqp56cjrajvmsli4 … pic.twitter.com/TY3CRkSDDa

   American Scientist@AmSciMag

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   Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:32:31

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2. 

   American Scientist@AmSciMag

   Natural nanomaterials exist in the environment, it's case by case if they are damaging to DNA or not--Bryant Nelson #AmSciGHO

   Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:36:55

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3. 

   American Scientist@AmSciMag

   Our focus is to develop better measurements and methods to explore molecular interactions with #nanoparticles -B. Nelson #AmSciGHO

   Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:42:13

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4. 

   Dianne Timblin@diannetimblin

   Bryant Nelson:Silver nanoparticles shown to impart antibacterial properties--incorporated into socks & washing machine cycles. 1/3 #AmSciGHO

   Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:44:02

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5. 

   Katie L. Burke@_klburke

   You have to be able to quantify what's there before you can determine effects of nanoparticles in environment = Nelson's focus. #amscigho

   Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:44:06

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6. 

   American Scientist@AmSciMag

   Inside and outside our body, cells are bombarded by free radicals and non-radical species. -B. Nelson #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cfaeh9rn422iqp56cjrajvmsli4 …

   Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:45:32

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7. 

   Dianne Timblin@diannetimblin

   Bryant Nelson: Of the nanoparticles released into the environment, we want to know which may be damaging & how much. 2/3 #AmSciGHO

   Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:46:50

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8. 

   Dianne Timblin@diannetimblin

   Bryant Nelson: We need new technologies to discriminate between these kinds of nanomaterials. 3/3 #AmSciGHO

   Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:47:56

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9. 

   Katie L. Burke@_klburke

   Oxidation from free radicals can cause mutations in DNA. #amscigho

   Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:48:33

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10. 

    Katie L. Burke@_klburke

    If nanoparticles are small enough to enter nucleus, can interact directly w/ DNA #amscigho

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:51:36

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11. 

    Katie L. Burke@_klburke

    Nanoparticles can cause an inflammation response and release free radicals--overcome the antioxidative response. #amscigho

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:53:05

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12. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Nanoparticles can bind to DNA inside the nucleus and cause all kinds of havoc. -B. Nelson #AmSciGHO  https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cfaeh9rn422iqp56cjrajvmsli4 …

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:53:47

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13. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Nanoparticles can enter cells through cell walls; it depends on the type of cell. -B. Nelson #AmSciGHO

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:54:37

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14. 

    Dianne Timblin@diannetimblin

    Bryant Nelson: Endocytosis, where nanoparticle is absorbed into cell thru a vescicle, is 1 mechanism that can introduce damage. #AmSciGHO

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:55:37

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15. 

    We identify and quantify #nanoparticles. We can identify single particles in some cases. -B. Nelson #AmsciGHO pic.twitter.com/khegDNfPB4

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    ·

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:57:01

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16. 

    Dianne Timblin@diannetimblin

    Bryant Nelson: For certain kinds of measurements, we're on the single particle level. 2/2 #AmSciGHO

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 18:59:49

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17. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    We had to come up with extraction procedures to isolate the DNA from the nanoparticles to measure how they interact. -B. Nelson #AmSciGHo

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:07:22

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18. 

    Katie L. Burke@_klburke

    There are a lot of studies that do exposures, but reproducibility is key. We do our experiments several times. -B Nelson #amscigho

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:10:51

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19. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    We exposed DNA with nanoparticles (in consumer products) under different light exposures, looked for DNA damage. 1/2 -B. Nelson #AmsciGHO

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:17:51

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20. 

    Dianne Timblin@diannetimblin

    Bryant Nelson: Some studies had shown that when exposed to light, titanium dioxide nanoparticles can produce free radicals... 1/? #AmSciGHO

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:34:27

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21. 

    Dianne Timblin@diannetimblin

    Bryant Nelson: We found that in the dark, titanium dioxide doesn't produce DNA damage. 7/? #AmSciGHO

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:45:45

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22. 

    Katie L. Burke@_klburke

    Carbon nanotubes can "scavenge" free radicals, thus reducing DNA damage. - B Nelson #amscigho

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:19:52

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23. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Next step is researchers may find if carbon nanotubes can prevent DNA damage in cell system or organism model. -B. Nelson #AmSciGHO 2/2

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:23:39

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24. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    I don't develop new nanomaterial. I focus on developing new technology to verify their identity and to quantify them. -B. Nelson #AmsciGHO

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:27:01

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25. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    "You can't be innovative in this environment, where funding is so tight, without working...in a group environment" -B. Nelson #AmSciGHo

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:29:50

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26. 

    Katie L. Burke@_klburke

    In science, you can't discriminate. The science itself discriminates at the end of the day. -B Nelson #amscigho

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:32:20

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27. 

    American Scientist@AmSciMag

    Thanks to the Research Triangle Park Sigma Xi Chapter for sponsoring today's #AmSciGHO on #nanoparticles! #SigmaXiChapters

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:35:58

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28. 

    Fenella Saunders@fenellasaunders

    If you missed our #hangout w Bryant Nelson @usnistgov about nanomaterials, video is here:  https://plus.google.com/events/cfaeh9rn422iqp56cjrajvmsli4 …  https://twitter.com/_klburke/status/676844137287704576 …

    Tue, Dec 15 2015 19:53:39

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