- InterCity Place, Plymouth Railway Station, North Road East,, Plymouth, PL4 6AB
- +44 1752 587544
- nathaniel.clark@plymouth.ac.uk
Profiles
Dr Nathaniel Clark
Lecturer in Physiology
School of Health Professions (Faculty of Health)
Biography
Biography
I am a Lecturer in Physiology within the School of Health Professions and the School of Biomedical Sciences. My research interests are at the biology-chemistry interface of toxicology to understand how pollutants (notably micro/nanoplastics and nanomaterials, and related compounds) affect environmental and human health.
Other roles
2021-present: Research Staff representative for the Senate (University of Plymouth).
2021-present: Research Staff representative for the Senate (University of Plymouth).
Qualifications
2023 - Registered Nutritionist (Association for Nutrition)
2021 - Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
2020 - Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
2019 - Ph.D. in Ecotoxicology
2019 - Ph.D. in Ecotoxicology
2014 - MRes. Marine Biology
2013 - BSc. (Hons) Marine Biology and Oceanography
2013 - BSc. (Hons) Marine Biology and Oceanography
Roles on external bodies
2024-present: Scientific Sub-committee for the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME).
2022-present: Scientific Advisory Panel for the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME).
2022-present: extended Editorial Board of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.
2021-present: Topic Board Editor
2020-present: The OECD's Working Party for Manufactured Nanomaterials
2019-present: Reviewer for Journals, including Nature Protocols, Environmental Sciences Europe, Aquaculture, Ecotoxicology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Environmental Science: Nano, Frontiers in Environmental Science, NanoImpact, and Science of the total Environment.
2020-present: The OECD's Working Party for Manufactured Nanomaterials
2019-present: Reviewer for Journals, including Nature Protocols, Environmental Sciences Europe, Aquaculture, Ecotoxicology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Environmental Science: Nano, Frontiers in Environmental Science, NanoImpact, and Science of the total Environment.
Previous roles
2022-2022: Managing Scientific Editor for Aquatic Toxicology.
2021-2022: Managing Scientific Editor for Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.
2021-2022: Managing Scientific Editor for Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.
Previous roles (at UoP)
2018-2021: Weekend Technician (Rodents).
2017-2022: Weekend Technician (Fish).
2018-2021: Weekend Technician (Rodents).
2017-2022: Weekend Technician (Fish).
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
I am the module lead for the undergraduate Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology and Genetics modules. I supervise BSc, MDiet and MSc project students within their dissertation modules.
Staff serving as external examiners
Ph.D. thesis examination (2021).
Research
Research
Research interests
My research interests and experience covers three main areas:
- The accumulation and effect of pollution on aquatic animals. My research has focused on dietary toxicology, specifically chemical exposure (engineered nanomaterials/micro/nanoplastics) on the fish gut epithelium. My work has implemented the 3R’s (replacement, reduction, and refinement) in chemical risk/hazard assessment, and developed gold-standard methods to measure particles in fish tissues through single particle ICP-MS. My research in nanoplastics has used world-leading radioisotope (14C) and meal-doping techniques to trace uptake into fish.
- The role of plastic pollution in human gut health and associated disease. My research in this area is focusing on the role of plastic pollution and the response of various human gut cell lines, including its ability to contribute to or exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease. This work us using in vitro approaches and involves method development for trying to quantify the plastic load at a cellular level.
- Assessing the trace element suitability of "alternative" diets (e.g., vegan) compared to "conventional" diets (e.g., meat). My work in this area is taking a "customers perspective" to making dietary changes that align with animal ethics and for sustainability, such as the reduction of meat consumption in favor of a pescatarian or vegan diet. Combing total element analysis (ICP-MS) with simulated in vitro digestion protocols, the concentration and behavior of like-for-like substitutions can be understood.
Other research
Previous research projects
2020-2023: NanoHarmony (https://nanoharmony.eu/, EU funded).
This project has the mission to support the development of Test Guidelines and Guidance Documents for eight endpoints where nanomaterial-adapted test methods have been identified as a regulatory priority. I work on two aspects of nanomaterials: T1.2 bioaccumulation and T1.4 quantification in biological samples. T1.2 focused on developing alternatives to in vivo fish bioaccumulation testing, in line with the 3 R's (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). T1.4 uses single particle ICP-MS to determine the particulate fraction in samples where we are trying to develop a reference material for nanomaterials.
2020-2023: NanoHarmony (https://nanoharmony.eu/, EU funded).
This project has the mission to support the development of Test Guidelines and Guidance Documents for eight endpoints where nanomaterial-adapted test methods have been identified as a regulatory priority. I work on two aspects of nanomaterials: T1.2 bioaccumulation and T1.4 quantification in biological samples. T1.2 focused on developing alternatives to in vivo fish bioaccumulation testing, in line with the 3 R's (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). T1.4 uses single particle ICP-MS to determine the particulate fraction in samples where we are trying to develop a reference material for nanomaterials.
2019-2022: MINIMISE (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=NE%2FS003967%2F1, NERC funded).
Marine plastic debris has been recorded across all parts of the globe and its potential to cause harm to marine wildlife and the healthy functioning of the oceans is an area of huge current concern. Microscopic plastic debris, (microplastic <5 mm in size and with no lower size limit), is a particular concern since its small size allows it to be consumed by many marine organisms, including those at the base of marine food webs and/or intended for human consumption. My work focused on establishing the biological fate of nanoplastics in fish following dietary exposure. As nanoplastics are difficult to detect due to the carbon background of tissues, various tracer methods were used (palladium-doped nanoplastics and carbon-14).
2016-2019: NanoFase (http://www.nanofase.eu/, EU funded).
Progress is needed in the prediction of environmental distribution, concentration and form (speciation) of nanomaterials, to allow early assessment of potential environmental and human exposure and risks, to facilitate safe product design and to include these aspects in nano regulation. The overarching aim of this project was to deliver an integrated exposure assessment framework for nanomaterials in the environment. The framework would incorporate the consequences of these transformations for transport and fate and among the different environmental compartments including organism uptake and local accumulation of ENMs in some environmental compartments. My work involved performing experiments to assess the dietary bioaccumulation potential of silver and silver sulphide nanomaterials in fish using ex vivo in in vivo methodologies. I also performed some of these aspects (the gut sac) in a rodent model to gain insights for human health assessments. During the project, I completed by Ph.D. and a research assistant post.
Marine plastic debris has been recorded across all parts of the globe and its potential to cause harm to marine wildlife and the healthy functioning of the oceans is an area of huge current concern. Microscopic plastic debris, (microplastic <5 mm in size and with no lower size limit), is a particular concern since its small size allows it to be consumed by many marine organisms, including those at the base of marine food webs and/or intended for human consumption. My work focused on establishing the biological fate of nanoplastics in fish following dietary exposure. As nanoplastics are difficult to detect due to the carbon background of tissues, various tracer methods were used (palladium-doped nanoplastics and carbon-14).
2016-2019: NanoFase (http://www.nanofase.eu/, EU funded).
Progress is needed in the prediction of environmental distribution, concentration and form (speciation) of nanomaterials, to allow early assessment of potential environmental and human exposure and risks, to facilitate safe product design and to include these aspects in nano regulation. The overarching aim of this project was to deliver an integrated exposure assessment framework for nanomaterials in the environment. The framework would incorporate the consequences of these transformations for transport and fate and among the different environmental compartments including organism uptake and local accumulation of ENMs in some environmental compartments. My work involved performing experiments to assess the dietary bioaccumulation potential of silver and silver sulphide nanomaterials in fish using ex vivo in in vivo methodologies. I also performed some of these aspects (the gut sac) in a rodent model to gain insights for human health assessments. During the project, I completed by Ph.D. and a research assistant post.
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
ResM Biological Sciences 2024 - Craig McHardy (as second supervisor).
Grants & contracts
2024-2028 ‘Determining the dietary accumulation and toxicity of nanoplastics and co-contaminants (zinc oxide nanomaterials) in fish’ with Dr’s Miguel Gomez-Gonzalez, Lee Hutt and Professor Richard Thompson.
2024-2027 ‘Establishing the effect of microplastic and nanoplastic exposure on inflammatory bowel disease’ with Dr’s Lee Hutt and Raul Bescos.
2023-2026 ‘Helpful or harmful? Investigating the impact of blended fruit smoothies on metabolic risk factors for human health with Dr’s Kathy Redfern (DoS) and Gail Rees (third supervisor).
2022-2025 ‘Defining the biological importance of micro- and nano-plastics on liver and gastrointestinal health’ with Dr’s Ashwin Dhanda (DoS) and Lee Durndell (third supervisor).
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
Journals
Articles
(2023) 'Reproductive and whole-body toxicity of Ag-doped and -undoped ZIF-8 nanoparticles and the building blocks: An Artemia-based comparative bioassay' Environmental Pollution 342, , DOI Open access
(2023) 'Zinc oxide nanoparticles disrupt development and function of the olfactory sensory system impairing olfaction-mediated behaviour in zebrafish' Environment International 180, , DOI Open access
(2023) 'Translocation of 14C-polystyrene nanoplastics into fish during a very-low concentration dietary exposure' Chemosphere , DOI Open access
(2023) 'The microbiomes of wildlife and chemical pollution: Status, knowledge gaps and challenges' Current Opinion in Toxicology 36, , DOI Open access
(2023) 'Toward Understanding the Environmental Risks of Combined Microplastics/Nanomaterials Exposures: Unveiling ZnO Transformations after Adsorption onto Polystyrene Microplastics in Environmental Solutions' Global Challenges 7, (8) , DOI Open access
(2023) 'Toxicokinetics and bioaccumulation of silver sulfide nanoparticles in benthic invertebrates in an indoor stream mesocosm' Science of The Total Environment 873, , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Plastic pollution requires an integrative systems approach to understand and mitigate risk' Emerging Topics in Life Sciences 6, (4) 435-439 , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Plastic pollution: the science we need for the planet we want' Emerging Topics in Life Sciences 6, (4) 333-337 , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Uptake, distribution and elimination of palladium-doped polystyrene nanoplastics in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following dietary exposure' Science of the Total Environment 854, , DOI Open access
(2022) 'The ecotoxicological consequences of microplastics and co-contaminants in aquatic organisms: a mini-review' Emerging Topics in Life Sciences , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Metal transfer to sediments, invertebrates and fish following waterborne exposure to silver nitrate or silver sulfide nanoparticles in an indoor stream mesocosm' Science of the Total Environment 850, , DOI Open access
(2022) 'Determination of metallic nanoparticles in biological samples by single particle ICP-MS: a systematic review from sample collection to analysis' Environmental Science: Nano , DOI Open access
(2022) 'The bioaccumulation testing strategy for nanomaterials: correlations with particle properties and a meta-analysis of in vitro fish alternatives to in vivo fish tests' Environmental Science: Nano , DOI Open access
(2021) 'Demonstrating the translocation of nanoplastics across the fish intestine using palladium-doped polystyrene in a salmon gut-sac' Environment International 159, , DOI Open access
(2021) 'Dietary exposure to copper sulphate compared to a copper oxide nanomaterial in rainbow trout: Bioaccumulation with minimal physiological effects' Environmental Science: Nano Publisher Site , DOI Open access
(2021) 'Quantification of particulate Ag in rainbow trout organs following dietary exposure to silver nitrate, or two forms of engineered silver nanoparticles' Environmental Science: Nano , DOI Open access
(2021) 'The bioaccumulation testing strategy for manufactured nanomaterials: physico-chemical triggers and read across from earthworms in a meta-analysis' Environmental Science: Nano , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Dietary bioaccumulation potential of silver nanomaterials compared to silver nitrate in wistar rats using an ex vivo gut sac technique' Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 200, 110745-110745 , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic fragments release Pb additives that are bioavailable in zebrafish' Environmental Pollution 263, 114422-114422 , DOI Open access
(2020) 'Comparison of the dietary bioavailability of copper sulphate and copper oxide nanomaterials in ex vivo gut sacs of rainbow trout: effects of low pH and amino acids in the lumen' Environmental Science: Nano 7, (7) 1967-1979 , DOI Open access
(2020) 'The gut barrier and the fate of engineered nanomaterials: a view from comparative physiology' Environmental Science: Nano , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Toxicities of copper oxide nanomaterial and copper sulphate in early life stage zebrafish: Effects of pH and intermittent pulse exposure' Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 190, 109985-109985 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'An assessment of the dietary bioavailability of silver nanomaterials in rainbow trout using an ex vivo gut sac technique' Environmental Science: Nano 6, (2) 646-660 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Development of a suitable detection method for silver nanoparticles in fish tissue using single particle ICP-MS' Environmental Science: Nano 6, (11) 3388-3400 , DOI Open access
(2019) 'Dietary exposure to silver nitrate compared to two forms of silver nanoparticles in rainbow trout: bioaccumulation potential with minimal physiological effects' Environmental Science: Nano 6, (5) 1393-1405 , DOI Open access
(2018) 'Low hazard of silver nanoparticles and silver nitrate to the haematopoietic system of rainbow trout' Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 152, 121-131 , DOI Open access
Chapters
(2023) 'Nanotechnology for aquaculture and fisheries' Nano-Enabled Sustainable and Precision Agriculture Elsevier 215-257 Publisher Site , DOI
(2022) 'Ingestion of Microplastics by Marine Animals' in Andrady AL Plastics and the Ocean: Origin, Characterization, Fate, and Impacts Wiley Online Library 349-366 , DOI Open access
Personal
Personal
Conferences organised
Local Organization Committee for the 16th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials (5-8th September 2023).
Other academic activities
International workshop sessions
Session on sample preparation for single particle ICP-MS as part of the workshop for the 16th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials (titled "The detection of nanoparticles in complex biological matrices").
Workshop presentations
“Data progress on in vitro alternatives to fish” (November 2021). OECD/NanoHarmony Bioaccumulation Expert Group Workshop.
"Meta-analysis of physico-chemical properties and in vitro alternative to fish" (February 2021). OECD/NanoHarmony Bioaccumulation Expert Group Workshop.
"Determination of concentrations of ENMs in biological samples using spICP-MS – Measurement and Validation" (November 2020). NanoHarmony International Workshop: Gap Analysis and Data Requirements for TG and GD Development.
“Data progress on in vitro alternatives to fish” (November 2021). OECD/NanoHarmony Bioaccumulation Expert Group Workshop.
"Meta-analysis of physico-chemical properties and in vitro alternative to fish" (February 2021). OECD/NanoHarmony Bioaccumulation Expert Group Workshop.
"Determination of concentrations of ENMs in biological samples using spICP-MS – Measurement and Validation" (November 2020). NanoHarmony International Workshop: Gap Analysis and Data Requirements for TG and GD Development.
Platform presentations
Clark, N. J., Clough, R., Jones, M. A., Laycock, A., Smith, R. and Handy, R. D. (September 2023). Development of an in-house tissue reference material for nanomaterials: A case study of silver nanoparticles in fish. 16th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Clark, N. J. Khan, F. R., Mitrano, D. M., Boyle, D., Crowther, C. and Thompson R. C. (May 2022). Quantification of nanoplastics uptake into and across the fish intestine using palladium-doped nanopolystyrene particles. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Clark, N. J. (October 2021). The extraction and characterisation of nanomaterials in fish tissues using single particle ICP-MS. Symposium for the Canadian Society of Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy. Panellist, invited speaker.
Clark, N. J., Mitrano, D. M., Khan, F. R., Boyle, D. and Thompson, R. C. (November 2020). The dietary bioavailability of nanoplastics to salmon using an ex vivo gut sac technique. MICRO2020.
Clark, N. J., Clough, R., Boyle, D., Eynon, B. P., Woznica, W. and Handy, R. D. (September 2019). The use of single particle ICP-MS to highlight species differences in gastrointestinal physiology: fish versus rodent. 14th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Clark N. J., Clough R., Boyle, D., Sharma, V. and Handy R. D. (May 2019). Detection of nano-sized particles in fish tissues following an in vivodietary exposure: a case study using silver nitrate, silver nanoparticles and silver sulphide nanoparticles. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Clark N. J., Boyle D. and Handy R. D. (May 2018). Development of a rapid screen to assess bioaccumulation potential: from ex vivo to in vivo using pristine and aged nanomaterials in fish. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Clark, N. J., Clough, R., Boyle, D., Eynon, B. P., Woznica, W. and Handy, R. D. (September 2019). The use of single particle ICP-MS to highlight species differences in gastrointestinal physiology: fish versus rodent. 14th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Clark N. J., Clough R., Boyle, D., Sharma, V. and Handy R. D. (May 2019). Detection of nano-sized particles in fish tissues following an in vivodietary exposure: a case study using silver nitrate, silver nanoparticles and silver sulphide nanoparticles. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Clark N. J., Boyle D. and Handy R. D. (May 2018). Development of a rapid screen to assess bioaccumulation potential: from ex vivo to in vivo using pristine and aged nanomaterials in fish. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Poster presentations (presenters underlined)
Gomez-Gonzalez, M. A., Clough, R., Da Silva-Ferreira, T., Quinn, P., Parker, J. and Clark, N. J. (September 2023). Microplastics as transportation vectors of ZnO nanomaterials: An incubation study involving pristine and transformed species from commercial products. 16th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Clark, N. J., Fischer, A. C., Durndell, L., Littlejohn, G. R., Plessis, A., Galloway, T. S. and Thompsons, R. C. (September 2023). Hot stuff: the use of radioisotope labelling to measure nanoplastic uptake into fish and plants. 16th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Jones, M. A., Clark, N. J., Clough, R. and Handy, R. D. (September 2023). An assessment of appropriate sample storage for biologically incorporated engineered nanomaterials. 16th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Jones, M. A., Clark, N. J., Clough, R. and Handy, R. D. (September 2023). An assessment of appropriate sample storage for biologically incorporated engineered nanomaterials. 16th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
McHardy, C. K., Clark, N. J., Clough, R. and Handy, R. D. (September 2023). Demonstrating the utility of the ex vivo gut sac technique with carbon-based nanomaterials as an alternative to in vivo bioaccumulation testing. 16th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Clark, N. J., Handy, R. D., Boyle, D., Vassallo, J., Green, C., Nasser, F., Botha, T. L., Wepener, V., van den Brink, N. and Svendsen, C. (May 2022). The bioaccumulation testing strategy for nanomaterials: correlations with particle properties and a meta-analysis of in vitro alternatives to in vivo fish tests. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Vassallo, J., Handy, R. D., Clark, N. J., Green, C., Nasser, F., Tatsi, K., Hutchinson, T. H., Boyle, D., Baccaro, M., van den Brink, N. and Svendsen, C. (May 2022).The bioaccumulation testing strategy for nanomaterials: physico-chemical triggers and read across from earthworms in a meta-analysis. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Clark, N. J., Woznica, W. and Handy, R. D. (September 2019). The dietary bioaccumulation potential of silver from silver nanoparticles, silver sulphide nanoparticles and silver nitrate in Wistar rats using an ex vivo gut sac technique. 14th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Handy, R. D., Clark, N. J., Vassallo, J., Silva, P., Silva, A. R., Grgić, M., Baccaro, M., Medvešček, N., Ferreira, A., van der Brink and Loureiro, S. (September 2019). Fate and bioaccumulation of silver from AgNO3 and Ag2S nanoparticles in a freshwater river mesocosm. International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Clark, N. J., Boyle, D. and Handy, R. D. (September 2017). An assessment of the Dietary Bioavailability of Pristine and Aged Silver Nanomaterials in Rainbow Trout Using an Ex VivoGut Sac Technique. 12th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Boyle, D., Clark, N. J. and Handy, R. D. (September 2017). Development of a tiered approach for the assessment of the dietary bioavailability of engineered copper oxide nanomaterials in rainbow trout. International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Clark N. J., Clough, R., Boyle, D. and Handy, R. D. (June 2017). Development of single particle ICP-MS to measure engineered nanomaterials in biological matrices. Current Trends in Nanotoxicology.
Clark, N. J., Boyle, D. and Handy, R. D. (February 2017). Investigation of the Dietary Bioavailability of Silver Nanoparticles in Rainbow Trout Using an Ex VivoTechnique. Nanomaterial Safety Assessment.
Shaw B. J., Letsinger, S. G. R., Correia, M., Ehrlich, N., Clark, N. J., Sharma, V. and Handy, R. D. (February 2017). The effects of surface coating on the toxicity of CuO engineered nanomaterials to early life-stage zebrafish (Danio rerio). Nanomaterial Safety Assessment.
Clark, N. J., Woznica, W. and Handy, R. D. (September 2019). The dietary bioaccumulation potential of silver from silver nanoparticles, silver sulphide nanoparticles and silver nitrate in Wistar rats using an ex vivo gut sac technique. 14th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Handy, R. D., Clark, N. J., Vassallo, J., Silva, P., Silva, A. R., Grgić, M., Baccaro, M., Medvešček, N., Ferreira, A., van der Brink and Loureiro, S. (September 2019). Fate and bioaccumulation of silver from AgNO3 and Ag2S nanoparticles in a freshwater river mesocosm. International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Clark, N. J., Boyle, D. and Handy, R. D. (September 2017). An assessment of the Dietary Bioavailability of Pristine and Aged Silver Nanomaterials in Rainbow Trout Using an Ex VivoGut Sac Technique. 12th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Boyle, D., Clark, N. J. and Handy, R. D. (September 2017). Development of a tiered approach for the assessment of the dietary bioavailability of engineered copper oxide nanomaterials in rainbow trout. International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials.
Clark N. J., Clough, R., Boyle, D. and Handy, R. D. (June 2017). Development of single particle ICP-MS to measure engineered nanomaterials in biological matrices. Current Trends in Nanotoxicology.
Clark, N. J., Boyle, D. and Handy, R. D. (February 2017). Investigation of the Dietary Bioavailability of Silver Nanoparticles in Rainbow Trout Using an Ex VivoTechnique. Nanomaterial Safety Assessment.
Shaw B. J., Letsinger, S. G. R., Correia, M., Ehrlich, N., Clark, N. J., Sharma, V. and Handy, R. D. (February 2017). The effects of surface coating on the toxicity of CuO engineered nanomaterials to early life-stage zebrafish (Danio rerio). Nanomaterial Safety Assessment.