Quantum dots functionalized with gH625 attenuate QDs oxidative stress and lethality in Caenorhabditis elegans: a model system

8 Nanomaterials have revolutionized many scientific fields and are widely applied to address environmental problems and to 9 develop novel health care strategies. However, their mechanism of action is still poorly understood. Several nanomaterials 10 for medical applications are based on quantum dots (QDs). Despite their amazing physico-chemical properties, quantum dots 11 display significant adverse effects. In the present study, the effects of QDs on the motor nervous system of nematodes 12 Caenorhabditis elegans have been investigated as a non-mammalian alternative model. We also explored the possibility of 13 modifying the toxicity of QDs by coating with a cell-penetrating peptide gH625 and thus we analysed the effects determined 14 by QDs-gH625 complexes on the nematodes. With this work, we have demonstrated, by in vivo experiments, that the 15 peptide gH625 is able to reduce the side effects of metallic nanoparticle making them more suitable for medical applications.