Development and Validation of In Vitro Bioassays for Pesticides in Coastal Waters

Lead Pi: Tim Verslycke · 2/2007 - 1/2009

Project Personnel: John Stegeman

MIT Sea Grant
Project number: 2007-R/RC-106
Strategic Focus Area: Safe and Sustainable Seafood Supply, Healthy Coastal Ecosystems
pollution lobster pesticides shell disease cellular biology molecular biology endocrinology physiology invertebrate chemical risk assessment biomonitoring

The researchers are developing in vitro assays for crustaceans that will be used to evaluate levels of commonly used pesticides in coastal areas and their potential effects on coastal crustacean populations. Working with lobsters, they will quantify organophosphate, carbamate, and insect growth regulator pesticides in a model coastal system (Cape Cod) through targeted analytical chemistry and by quantifying known biological responses in vitro that are related to their toxic mode-of-action.