NRgCod · Developing an Adverse Outcome Pathway for metabolic Nuclear Receptor-binding compounds in Atlantic cod
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-10-01 → 2024-09-07
- EU contribution
- €202,159
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Developing an Adverse Outcome Pathway for metabolic Nuclear Receptor-binding compounds in Atlantic cod
Human-made chemicals like pesticides, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), plastics, and plasticizers are accumulating in the environment. Recent research suggests that these contaminants might subtly impact the behavior of aquatic animals. Even at low exposure levels, changes in feeding, mating, and daily activity can profoundly affect population structures and ecosystems, as seen in fish. However, the biological mechanisms behind these behavioral shifts remain mostly unknown. It is important to understand these biological mechanisms to develop fast and cost-effective screening tools to assess the environmental risks of ongoing and future ocean pollution. The NRgCod project aimed to uncover how disruptions in energy metabolism, especially lipid and glucose metabolism, might drive these behavioral changes. Focusing on the commercially valuable Atlantic cod, the project had three main goals: 1. Identify environmentally relevant chemicals that activate a metabolic nuclear receptor and disrupt glucose metabolism in Atlantic cod. 2. Develop a luciferase reporter assay to test the activity of the chosen receptor and quickly screen numerous environmental contaminants. 3. Investigate the link between receptor activity, changes in glucose metabolism, and behavior in Atlantic cod.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Environmental contaminants are accumulating in oceans and marine food webs and thereby pose a risk for both ecosystem and human health. In my MSCA-project, I aspire to bring the field of environmental toxicology to the next level by applying my track-record in developing Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) in the model organism zebrafish to the sentinel species Atlantic cod. The renowned Environmental Toxicology laboratory of Prof. Anders Goksøyr at the University of Bergen (UiB), is specialised in interactions of human-made chemicals with nuclear receptors (NRs) in Atlantic cod. Contaminant activated NRs can be the initiating molecular event leading to a cascade of responses, disrupting energy metabolism and culminating in an adverse outcome at behavioural level. At UiB, I will be trained in applying the precision-cut liver slicing technique and in developing in vitro luciferase reporter assays to identify NR activity after exposure to major legacy and emerging contaminants. I will then translate my knowledge on mechanisms leading to behavioural effects in zebrafish larvae, to the Atlantic cod. I will be supported by the Environmental Chemistry Group at the Institute of Marine Research (secondment) providing expertise on larval Atlantic cod toxicology and lipid chemistry. Developing AOPs in an ecologically relevant species is a young field of research but of high relevance to defining the ecological consequences of contaminant exposures. This project will innovatively expedite the Environmental Toxicology research and underline my ambitions to become an independent academic group leader. I will further sharpen my academic profile by profiting from UiB’s unique Centre of Excellence in Biology Education (bioCEED) which will enhance my skills in modern supervising and teaching techniques. The proposal addresses pressing scientific questions by integrating the expertise and network of both the host and me while shaping my profile on the way to become a leading scholar.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITETET I BERGEN · BergenCoordinatorNorway
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union