Can We Reduce Microplastic Absorption in the Human Body? Dr. Nicholas Monsul | ALLATRA GRC Podcast

Microplastics and nanoplastics are increasingly being detected throughout the environment and in different parts of the human body, raising important questions about exposure, biological effects, and whether it may be possible to reduce their absorption. At the same time, many fundamental questions remain about what these particles do once they enter the body and how they interact with human tissues.

In this episode of the ALLATRA Global Research Center Podcast, Karolína Hronová, Clinical Pharmacologist and Environmental Health Researcher at the ALLATRA Global Research Center, speaks with Dr. Nicholas Monsul, a surgeon and researcher whose work brings together clinical medicine, neuroscience, microbiome research, and the study of microplastics and nanoplastics. Drawing on his experience in both medicine and experimental research, Dr. Monsul explains how his scientific path led from studies of the blood-brain barrier and optic nerve regeneration to the human microbiome and, eventually, to research aimed at understanding whether biological barrier mechanisms could help limit the uptake of plastic particles.

The conversation explores how microplastics and nanoplastics can enter the human body, what researchers are learning about their presence in different tissues, and why much remains unknown about their long-term effects on human health. Dr. Monsul also discusses the development of QI-601, a biofilm-derived postbiotic being investigated for its ability to bind plastic particles, and walks us through laboratory experiments using nanoplastics, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and human colon cells. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the importance of moving carefully from laboratory observations toward research that can eventually be tested and applied in clinical settings.

In this episode:

🔹 From surgery and neuroscience to microbiome and microplastics research

🔹 The blood-brain barrier and early research into optic nerve regeneration

🔹 Why the human microbiome became a new direction in Dr. Monsul’s research

🔹 How Lactobacillus fermentum and biofilms became part of the search for protective biological barriers

🔹 How microplastics and nanoplastics enter the human body

🔹 What scientists are finding about plastic particles in human tissues

🔹 QI-601 and the idea of binding plastic particles before they are absorbed

🔹 What laboratory experiments with nanoplastics have shown so far

🔹 Using electron and atomic force microscopy to study interactions between biofilms and plastic particles

🔹 What experiments with human colon cells may reveal about nanoplastic uptake and removal

🔹 Why laboratory findings still require further testing and validation

🔹 How scientists can move promising discoveries from the laboratory toward practical medical applications

🔹 Why collaboration, persistence, and public awareness matter in addressing the growing microplastics problem

🔹Miracle to Menace: How plastics rewrote human history

This material is for informational and discussion purposes only. The statements, assessments, interpretations, conclusions, and hypotheses contained herein represent the personal views of their authors as of the date of publication and do not constitute an official position of the ALLATRA or any other public association, organization, project, partner, affiliated entity, or individual unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Publication of this material is intended to encourage open scientific dialogue and does not in itself imply institutional endorsement, confirmation, or scientific verification of the views expressed. The material should not be interpreted as an official statement, expert opinion, or professional advice.