NCL Lessons Learned Workshop
NCI’s Nanotechnology Characterization Lab (NCL) is providing an intensive one-day
workshop on the science of preclinical characterization of nanomaterials. This workshop
will cover some of the “lessons learned” from the NCL’s testing of more than 240
nanotechnology-based candidate cancer treatments and diagnostics. The NCL performs
physiochemical characterization, in vitro experiments and in vivo testing for
collaborators, to support regulatory filings with the FDA.
The morning session will cover methods for nanomaterial characterization, including
strategies for determining appropriate tests for batch-to-batch consistency, surface
characterization, etc., nanomaterial ADME/Tox and PK, sterility and endotoxin
contamination, immunotoxicity, and linking physicochemical characterization to safety
and efficacy. This session will highlight methods from the NCL’s three-phase Assay
Cascade.
The afternoon will be devoted to case studies from NCL preclinical characterization, with
details on specific nanomaterials, issues/problems encountered during NCL testing (e.g.
impurities, agglomeration, unexpected toxicities, immune reactions, etc.), and how these
were overcome.
Featuring sessions by:
 Scott McNeil, NCL Director
 Anil Patri, NCL Chemist
 Stephan Stern, NCL Toxicologist
 Marina Dobrovolskaia, NCL Immunologist
 Jeff Clogston, NCL Chemist
More information about the NCL is available at http://ncl.cancer.gov.
NCL Lessons Learned Workshop Agenda
9:00-9:30am
Opening Remarks – Scott McNeil
9:30-10:15am
Physiochemical Characterization – Anil Patri
10:15-10:30am
Break
10:30-11:15am
Nanotox and Pharmacology – Steve Stern
11:15-12pm
Nanoimmunology – Marina Dobrovolskaia
12-1pm
Lunch Break
1:00-3:00pm
Case Studies – NCL Scientists
3:00-3:15pm
Break
3:15-4:15pm
Focus Topics: e.g., Sterility, Autophagy, Light Scattering, Microscopy –
NCL Scientists
4:15-4:45pm
Panel Discussion – NCL Scientists
4:45-5:00pm
Meeting Wrap Up and Concluding Remarks – Scott McNeil