Biologia Celular en Toxicologia Ambiental BCTA / Cell Biology in Environmental Toxicology CBET Research groups

Since 1985 the group of ?Cell Biology in Environmental Toxicology? (CBET, http: www.ehu.eus/web/cellbiologyinenvironmentaltoxicology) of the University of the Basque Country develops research and teaching activities within the Environmental Toxicology field (both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems). The group, recognized since 2001 as type A consolidated research group (UPV 00076.310-13622/2001, period 2001-2006; GIC07/26-IT-393-07, period 2007-2012; and GIC12/IT-810-13, period 2013-2018), is composed of 10 university lecturers and researchers, 5 postdoc researchers and 15 PhD students. Together with other two groups formed the Unit of Formation and Research UFI Protection of Ecosystem Health 11/37 with funding in the period 2012-2016. The group´s labs contain facilities for histology, light, fluorescence and electron microscopy, image analysis, cell fractionation and biochemistry, cell culture and molecular biology. The group has aquaria facilities for development of large experiments and mesocosm experiments and a zebrafish facility at the Faculty of Science and Technology and at the Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Plentzia Marine Station PiE-UPV/EHU. The group coordinates three Masters (two recognized with the Erasmus Mundus label) and two Doctoral Programmes (Environmental Contamination and Toxicology CTA/ECT, Marine Environment and Resources MER) and offers several international postgraduate courses.

The main field of expertise of the group is in development and application of early warning cell and molecular biomarkers of pollution exposure and effects, and in toxicity profiling of environmental pollutants using standard and novel toxicity tests in cells in vitro, algae, invertebrates and vertebrates, including the model zebrafish and other fish species.

Participation in EU or international projects: XENOFISH (Impacts of marine xenobiotics on european commercial fish- Molecular effects and population responses, IV FP, FAIR, 1998-2000), BEEP (Biological Effects of Environmental Pollution in Marine Coastal Ecosystems, V FP, Environmental Programme-Marine Ecosystems, 2001-2004), PRAGMA (A pragmatic and integrated approach for the evaluation of environmental impact of oil and chemicals spilled at sea: input to European guidelines, VI FP, Environment DG, 2006-2007), NANORETOX (The reactivity and toxicity of engineered nanoparticles: risks to the environment and human health, VII FP, NMP-Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies, 2008-2012), POLARISATION (Polar cod, lipid metabolism and disruption by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Norwegian research Council, 2012-2015), ENTER (The transfer of engineered NanoMaterials ENMs from wastewater treatment and stormwater to rivers, COST Action ES1205, 2013-2017), PLASTOX (Direct and indirect ecotoxicological impacts of microplastics on marine organisms, EU JPI Oceans MarinERA, 2016-2018) and GRACE (Integrated oil spill response actions and environmental effects, H2020, Topic BG-07-2015, 2016-2019).

For the new period 2019-2021, in view of new trends and advances in the field of Environmental Toxicology during recent years, including the emergence of new hot topics, the group will structure its scientific activities around three related research areas, namely:
1.- Toxicology of nanomaterials, microplastics and other emerging pollutants.
2.- Reproduction and sex differentiation in aquatic organisms under environmental change.
3.- Integrated assessment of ecosystem health and pollution in aquatic and soil systems.

In addition, there will be four transversal strategic actions and scientific activities that are of common interest to the whole group and in which all of us will participate:
1.- Strategic framework and networking
2.- Development and implementation of novel technologies, methods and tools
3.- Higher education
4.- Dissemination and visibility

Ikerketa eremua

Physical Sciences

Erakundea
University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
RIS3 lehentasunak
Ikertzaile nagusia
Miren P. Cajaraville Bereciartua
Helbidea
FACULTAD DE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGÍA
Nola iritsi
Ikerketa lerro nagusiak
  • Toxicology of nanomaterials, microplastics and other emerging pollutants
  • Reproduction and sex differentiation in aquatic organisms under environmental change
  • Integrated assessment of ecosystem health and pollution in aquatic and soil systems