Parhyale hawaiensis as a new model in ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry

Palestrante: Profa. Dra. Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro (FCT-UNICAMP)

Abstract: In general, the models used for ecotoxicity evaluation are from temperate zones. In 2010 we started to explore the circumtropical marine amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis as a test organism. P. hawaiensis was collected from a pristine area in Sao Paulo state in Brazil, and conditions for their cultivation in the laboratory have been successfully developed. Protocols based on miniaturized techniques for acute (96-h) and chronic toxicity tests (42-d), were developed and applied. Several other testing protocols were also explored as genotoxicity (comet assay and micronuclei) both in hemocytes and sperm cells and regeneration responses. Toxicokinetics studies were also performed to study metals, nanoparticles, azo dyes and PFAS using the hemolymph of exposed organisms in the laboratory. Hemocyte cells were characterized and now are being used to develop immunotoxicity endpoints. Cages are also being developed to allow active monitoring of pollutants using chemical analysis of hemolymph of exposed organisms in sites with different levels and types of pollution. We believe that P. hawaiensis is a reliable, versatile and promising organism for risk assessment evaluations in marine tropical environments.

Short CV: Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro is a full professor at School of Technology – UNICAMP, Brazil. Is the coordinator of the Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Genotoxicity (LAEG). She graduated in Biology at University of Campinas – UNICAMP (1979), Ph.D. in Genetics also at UNICAMP (1990). Worked for 22 years at the Environmental Protection Agency of São Paulo State (CETESB). Is a 1A researcher from CNPq. She was a visitor professor at NIEHS and USEPA. Participated in the construction/revision of norms related to water quality from Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente – CONAMA, Brazil and Ministry of Health. She served the president of the Mutagen Brazil Association and is a member of ECOTOX Brasil. Participated in two IARC (WHO) monographs as a member. Has experience in Environmental Toxicology especially in Environmental Mutagenesis, Ecotoxicology and Regulatory Toxicology. Authored several papers and books.