Ecotoxicology

The term ecotoxicology was coined by Truhaut in 1969, who defined it as "the branch of toxicology concerned with the study of toxic effects, caused by natural or synthetic pollutants, to the constituents of ecosystems, animal , vegetable and microbial, in an integral context” . Ecotoxicology is alleged to be the integration of toxicology and ecology or, as Chapman suggested, “ecology in the presence of toxicants”. It aims to predict the effects upon natural populations, communities, or ecosystems - ‘the ecosystem’- of stressors, be they anthropogenic in origin or otherwise. It differs from Environmental Toxicology in that it integrates the effects of stressors across all levels of biological organisation from the molecular to whole communities and ecosystems, whereas environmental toxicology focuses upon effects upon the individual .The publication in 1962 of Rachel Carson's seminal volume, Silent Spring catalysed the separation of environmental toxicology - and, subsequently, ecotoxicology - from classical toxicology. The revolutionary element in Carson's work was her extrapolation from single-organism effects to effects at the whole ecosystem and the "balance of nature" . This systemic study is distinct from the anthropocentric nature of classical toxicology and ecotoxicology is, therefore, a far broader discipline incorporating aspects of ecology, toxicology, physiology, molecular biology, analytical chemistry and a wealth of other disciplines to study the effects of xenobiotics in an ecosystem. The ultimate goal of this approach is to be able to predict the effects of pollution so that, should a pollution incident occur, the most efficient and effective action to remediate the detrimental effects can be identified. In those ecosystems that are already impacted by pollution ecotoxicological studies can inform as to the best course of action to restore ecosystem services and functions efficiently and effectively. (From the Wikpedia article Ecotoxicology.)

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Recent Publications on Ecotoxicology:
A novel ABC transporter: The first insight into zebrafish (Danio rerio) Abch1. Abch1 is a novel ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter found in fish....	21st November, 2009	Laboratory for Molecular Ecotoxicology, Division for Marine and	Mar Environ Res. 2009 Oct 23. DOI Direct Link
Quantum Dots Enhanced Ultrasensitive Detection of DNA Adducts. Here we demonstrate that quantum dots (QD) can greatly improve the...	21st November, 2009	State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology,	Anal Chem. 2009 Nov 19. DOI Direct Link
Parentage Outcomes in Response to Estrogen Exposure are Modified by Social Grouping in Zebrafish. Evidence has recently emerged that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)...	21st November, 2009	Ecotoxicology and Aquatic Biology Research Group, University of Exeter,	Environ Sci Technol. 2009 Nov 1;43(21):8400-8405. DOI Direct Link
Multidrug Efflux Transporters Limit Accumulation of Inorganic, but Not Organic, Mercury in Sea Urchin Embryos. Mercuric compounds are persistent global pollutants that accumulate in...	21st November, 2009	Laboratory for Biology and Microbial Genetics, Department for Biochemical	Environ Sci Technol. 2009 Nov 1;43(21):8374-8380. DOI Direct Link
Environmental risk assessments for transgenic crops producing output trait enzymes. The environmental risks from cultivating crops producing output trait...	20th November, 2009	Syngenta, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell,	Transgenic Res. 2009 Nov 19. DOI Direct Link
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Press Releases About Ecotoxicology:
Springborn Deploys eStudy(TM) Hosted Solution for Management of Global Environmental Testing	16th June, 2009	iAdvantage Software, Inc.	CARY, N.C., June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- iAdvantage Software, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise-wide solutions for managing development and pre-clinical life science studies, today announced that

Ecotoxicology Patents:
US Patent No.	Title
6162437	Method for inhibiting interleukin-6 production by administering extracts from root of Stephania tetrandra
6569909	Inhibition of biological degradation in fischer-tropsch products
6626122	Deactivatable biocides in ballast water
6642057	Methods for the detection of harmful substances or traces thereof
6653288	Injectable anthelmintic compositions and methods for using same
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Companies working in the area of Ecotoxicology from Bioportfolio's Biocorporate database :
Company Name
ABC Laboratories Europe Limited ABC Laboratories Europe has an all graduate professional staff of 25 and operates a 1,100 square meter facility located in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. The Laboratory is certified for GLP compliance...         View full profile
Chemex International plc Chemex can take the stress out of your job. We are a long established analytical and ecotoxicology laboratory with a reputation for accuracy and quality both in results and customer services. We... www.chemex.co.uk/        View full profile
Bioclear Bioclear is a team of experts and professionals in the field of environmental and sustainable biotechnology. We deal with multidisciplinary projects in areas such as soil, water and industrial... www.bioclear.nl/        View full profile
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BioPortfolio Ltd. offers e-mail and postal lists for Ecotoxicology scientists - we have details of around 218 individuals working on Ecotoxicology .