Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Auburn University received a $571,566 Project Grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) under the Environmental Health program (CFDA 93.113), awarded April 20, 2026, with a completion date of April 19, 2029. The grant supports research investigating the biological effects of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), specifically gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), on human mitochondrial health under chronic, low-dose exposure conditions that reflect real-world scenarios. The project will systematically characterize acute and chronic effects of well-defined AuNPs on mitochondrial function using in vitro approaches, including healthy and disease models associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, through integrated molecular, cellular, and functional analyses.

The research deliverables will advance understanding of how ENMs influence mitochondrial function under realistic exposure conditions and provide foundational insights linking ENM physicochemical properties to biological outcomes. The project outcomes are intended to support the design of safer nanotechnologies and inform future therapeutic strategies, while generating meaningful research opportunities. The work addresses a critical gap in environmental health science, as the biological effects of ENMs under chronic, low-dose exposures remain poorly understood despite their widespread presence in modern applications, particularly in biomedical fields.