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The human body's first contact with air pollutants occurs primarily at the lung epithelium, which is a natural interface between inhaled air and body fluids. The Aerosol Toxicology Theme Group therefore exposes human lung cell and co-culture models at the air-liquid interface (ALI). ALI cell cultures reflect the natural situation of the lung epithelium without the need for animal models.

In addition, ALI exposures account for both particulates and the gas phase of an aerosol, making ALI exposures very realistic compared to exposures to collected particulate samples immersed in cell culture medium. To analyze the specific responses of cell culture systems, classical cytotoxicity assays are combined with comprehensive multi-omics analyses. Transcriptome and proteome level responses will be measured in collaboration with HMGU Core Facilities and other project partners. Simultaneous measurements of the chemical and physical aerosol composition allow to find new correlations between the regulation of specific genes or proteins and certain aerosol properties. In this way, substances can be identified that are responsible for certain cellular reactions and could thus have an influence on the development or exacerbation of environmentally induced diseases.

The aim is to develop specific strategies for disease prevention by specifically avoiding previously unknown risk factors.