Objective "Pesticides, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals support our modern standard of life, but their use can have detrimental impacts on our environment. We want to study the uptake, biotransformation and elimination (toxicokinetics) of pharmaceuticals in aquatic invertebrates. We aim to identify and model biotransformation pathways in four different species. Studying the comparative toxicokinetics of small, aquatic invertebrates is of great interest because it contributes to understanding evolutionary and environmental mechanisms and causes of differences in species sensitivity to chemicals.We want to apply a cutting edge analytical method to discover and quantify biotransformation products and pathways of pharmaceuticals (Ibuprofen, Fluoxetine, Carbamazepine, Venlafaxine) in small aquatic invertebrates (Daphnia magna, Chironomus riparius, Hyalella azteca, Lymnaea stagnalis).We selected pharmaceuticals which are frequently detected in aquatic systems, have known adverse effects on aquatic invertebrates and are metabolised in humans. Test organisms are cultured and were selected based on their importance in chemical testing (ecotoxicology) as well as their diversity in respiratory strategy and phylogeny.Extracts of exposed and control organisms are analysed using high resolution mass spectrometry complemented by expert systems for the prediction of transformation pathways and products. We will carry out toxicokinetic experiments where we measure concentrations of parent compound and biotransformation products in the organism at different times during the experiment. A pulsed exposure design ensures efficient measurement and calibration of the toxicokinetic model consisting of a set of differential equations. We hope to find novel biotransformation pathways and will search for patterns in toxicokinetic parameters. Toxicokinetic differences between species will help to understand sensitivity to synthetic chemicals and quantify the importance of biotransformation." Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsnatural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicsmathematical analysisdifferential equationsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligenceexpert systemsnatural scienceschemical sciencesanalytical chemistrymass spectrometrynatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyinvertebrate zoology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF YORK EU contribution € 100 000,00 Address HESLINGTON YO10 5DD York North Yorkshire United Kingdom See on map Region Yorkshire and the Humber North Yorkshire York Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Caroline Moore (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data