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The development of nanotechnology will inevitably lead to the release of consistent amounts of nanoparticles (NPs) in the environment. Invertebrates, that represent > 90% of animal species, widespread in different ecosystems, are emerging both as suitable target organisms and as models for evaluating the environmental impact of NPs.

Once released in different ecosystems, both NP intrinsic properties and those of the receiving medium will affect particle behavior. In particular, interactions with different biomolecules will lead to the formation of ‘eco-coronas’, that will influence NP bioavailability/uptake/toxicity in different environments, depending on the organisms present and the surrounding conditions. However, as shown in mammalian studies, the evaluation of the biological effects of NPs requires additional understanding of how, once within the organism, NPs interact at the molecular level with cells in a …