Effects of perfluorinated organic compounds in aquatic organisms: a systems biology approach.

Perfluorinated organic compounds (PFOCs) are manufactured for over 50 years in enormous quantities and are used in materials such as wetting agents, foam fire extinguishers and stain resistant treatments for leather, paper and clothing. Due to their environmental persistence and tendency to bioaccumulate, the global concern for the potential toxicity of these organic compounds has strongly been rising during the last decade.
The aim of my research project is finding the mechanisms and the toxicological impact of selected PFOCs: perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA),a mixture of perfluorinated compounds. In this project, the effects of PFOCs will be studied in zebrafish (Danio rerio), in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) using toxicogenomics, proteomics and biochemical assays. The combination of these innovative techniques at several levels of biological organization will result in an unique and integrated picture of the mechanisms and the potentially harmful impact of these compounds and can lead to the development of specific assays used for monitoring of the ecosystem.