The impact of food transmitted endocrine disruptors on animal and human health

Microplastics are becoming a global problem in providing safe and healthy food for everyone. Microplastics do not biodegrade, and can absorb bioactive chemicals, which enter and persist throughout the food chain.
This project will investigate how food-delivered microplastics and their carried bioactive compounds alters biology and health of terrestrial animals in order to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms. The project focuses on determining the impact of microplastics and Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on cognitive and social behaviours as well as longevity by modifying signalling through conserved nuclear hormone receptors (NR), such as estrogen and testosterone receptors. The project will utilize two models: an established mammalian cell culture system to identify cellular targets of the endocrine disruptors and the simple Nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans model to obtain insight into whole-animal defects upon exposure, such as behaviour, cognition and aging. Results of this project will be used to gain insight on the impact of microplastics and their contaminants on human health and disease. This study will provide crucial evidence on the level and types of health risks that exposure to microplastic particles could pose and will provide insight into the molecular mechanisms involved.

This project will use multiple model systems and use genetic, molecular, cell biology and behavioural techniques in the study.