MEAT

Microcystin Exposure Associated Toxicity

 Coordinatore UNIVERSITAT KONSTANZ 

 Organization address address: UNIVERSITATSSTRASSE 10
city: KONSTANZ
postcode: 78457

contact info
Titolo: Prof.
Nome: Daniel
Cognome: Dietrich
Email: send email
Telefono: +49 7531 883518
Fax: +49 7531 883170

 Nazionalità Coordinatore Germany [DE]
 Totale costo 693˙000 €
 EC contributo 541˙800 €
 Programma FP7-PEOPLE
Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)
 Code Call FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IRSES
 Funding Scheme MC-IRSES
 Anno di inizio 2012
 Periodo (anno-mese-giorno) 2012-06-22   -   2016-06-21

 Partecipanti

# participant  country  role  EC contrib. [€] 
1    UNIVERSITAT KONSTANZ

 Organization address address: UNIVERSITATSSTRASSE 10
city: KONSTANZ
postcode: 78457

contact info
Titolo: Prof.
Nome: Daniel
Cognome: Dietrich
Email: send email
Telefono: +49 7531 883518
Fax: +49 7531 883170

DE (KONSTANZ) coordinator 373˙800.00
2    NASJONALT FOLKEHELSEINSTITUTT

 Organization address address: Lovisenberggata 8
city: OSLO
postcode: 403

contact info
Titolo: Dr.
Nome: Hans
Cognome: Utkilen
Email: send email
Telefono: +47 21 076689
Fax: +47 21 076686

NO (OSLO) participant 168˙000.00
3    HOGSKOLEN I TELEMARK ORGANISASJONSLEDD

 Organization address address: KJOLNES RING 56
city: PORSGRUNN
postcode: 3918

contact info
Titolo: Prof.
Nome: Tone Jøran
Cognome: Oredalen
Email: send email
Telefono: 4735952727

NO (PORSGRUNN) participant 0.00

Mappa


 Word cloud

Esplora la "nuvola delle parole (Word Cloud) per avere un'idea di massima del progetto.

samples    chemical    water    exposure    chronically    meat    drinking    uruguay    toxins    argentina    cyanobacteria    toxin    populations    problem    aquatic    determine    techniques    close    immunological    toxic    ecological    human    molecular    action    little    risk    san    mc    physical    microcystin    living    blooms    bloom    roque    experiments    effort    sensitive    events    qpcr    geochemical    proximity    accurately    model    food    governing    levels    lake    humans    staff    aerosols    series    physiological    health   

 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Microcystins (MC) are potent cyclic heptapeptide toxins that are produced by many cyanobacterial genera e.g. Planktothrix, Microcystis. Human exposure occurs primarily during bloom events, via drinking or contact with contaminated water, food or aerosols. While food exposure and corresponding health effects are rare, exposure to high MC concentrations via drinking water has resulted in morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the level of MC exposure in humans when sub-chronically or chronically exposed via aerosols or drinking water as is the case in populations living within close proximity to water bodies experiencing toxic blooms, e.g. the population of San Roque dam, Argentina. To accurately determine human exposure, an in-depth understanding of the physical and physiological events governing toxic bloom formation and regulating MC production is critical. In this study we will (1) undertake a series of in-lake mesocosm studies to explore thresholds and triggers of up-regulation of MC. Samples will be analyzed using a suite of sensitive molecular (QPCR, RT-QPCR, metagenome analysis), immunological and chemical techniques in concert with physical and geochemical measurements , (2) undertake a series of field-experiments, incl. the San Roque location, in which we will monitor a range of physiochemical parameters, and in-lake and aerosolized MC levels, and (3) use a hydrodynamic model to define water movement coupled to an ecological model enabling predictions of toxins in aerosols and water. Laboratory techniques and questionnaires specifically developed to allow monitoring of human toxin exposure, will be used to assess health impacts of toxins and aerosols. The consortium represents aquatic ecologists, microbiologist, molecular biologist, modelers, toxicologists and medical staff. Exchanging staff will ensure increased understanding and implementation of technologies and lead to improved human risk assessment.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Cyanobacteria take their name from a blue-green pigment they contain. Their toxic impact on aquatic life and humans necessitates immediate action.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Found in most aquatic systems, cyanobacteria represent a major ecological and health problem. They grow in blooms and produce toxins, disturbing the ecological habitat of many organisms. However, little is known about the level of toxin exposure in populations living within close proximity to toxic blooms.

To accurately determine human exposure, one needs to understand the physical and physiological events governing toxic bloom formation and toxin production. The key objective of the EU-funded 'Microcystin exposure associated toxicity' (MEAT) project is to characterise how cyanobacteria form blooms and produce the toxin microcystin. For this purpose, scientists have performed field experiments to measure the toxin levels in different water samples. Additionally, they have employed sensitive molecular, immunological and chemical techniques alongside physical and geochemical measurements.

Results indicate that the concentration of toxins is markedly different in different regions within blooms. In addition, different fish species seem to have different toxin transport capabilities. These findings are crucial for risk assessment and understanding toxin exposure in local populations. Argentina and Uruguay are actively contributing to the MEAT effort given the immense cyanobacteria exposure problem they face.

Considerable effort is also being devoted to the development of an assay for quantifying microcystin levels in water samples, food and human blood. With samples from Argentina and Uruguay, the consortium hopes to substantiate risk assessment and management.

To communicate their activities and the toxic potential of cyanobacteria, partners have given radio interviews and placed videos on the web. Given that human activities favour the growth of cyanobacteria in lakes and water reservoirs, the results of the study will help inform appropriate action to prevent and remediate contamination.

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