Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL)

NCI established the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL) to accelerate the progress of nanomedicine by providing preclinical characterization and safety testing of nanoparticles. It is a collaborative effort between NCI, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).  

The NCL serves as a resource and knowledge base for all cancer researchers in academia, industry, and government to facilitate the development and clinical translation of nanotechnologies intended as cancer therapeutics and diagnostics. NCL performs:

• characterization of strategies with proven efficacy for cancer therapy, diagnosis, or vaccines
• evaluation of novel, early-stage nanomedicine platforms with potential for cancer therapy and diagnosis
• evaluation of approaches intended to alleviate side effects, toxicities and other adverse effects associated with cancer therapy
• structure activity relationship (SAR) studies, technology advancement, and method development contributing to improvement of the cancer nanotechnology knowledge base