NRP50

The Research Topics

Endocrine disruptors operate at diverse levels of biological complexity. Consequently, the National Research Programme 'Endocrine Disruptors' encompasses research from molecular mechanisms to population dynamics:

 

• Assessment of Exposure
  Development and use of chemical-analytical methods, bioassays and biomarkers to determine the exposure and effects of endocrine disruptors in ecosystems, animals and humans

• Processing of Endocrine Disruptors in Ecosystems
  Applying ecokinetic and toxicokinetic approaches to monitor the fate of individual chemicals and their metabolites in the environment and in organisms; identifying the key mechanisms involved in the bioprocessing of these chemicals

• Experimental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
  Population studies, identification and determination of long-term, low dose effects of endocrine disruptors on selected indicator species of particular ecosystems; implementation of multigeneration and life cycle studies focussing on reproduction, development, immune system and other organ functions

• Animal Models
  Developing animal models for the study of developmental and endocrine health effects in humans and animals where endocrine disruptors are thought to be implicated

• Analysis of the Effects of Specific Chemicals and Mixtures
  Elucidating how endocrine disruptors can affect mechanisms involved in reproduction, ontogeny, carcinogenesis, immune defence and other health effects. Integration of the signal networks using novel approaches, such as functional genomics, proteomics and quantitative structure activity relationship.

• Integrative Analysis of Model Systems
  Development of modelling approaches to analyse and predict the effects of endocrine disruptors in ecosystems

• Risk Assessment and Implementation
  Integration of the results of the entire NRP and generation of a decision platform and recommendations for future regulatory and industrial processes