Biodistribution and biological impact of microplastics in water

Project Team

Jacques Robert, PhD; Francisco De Jesus Andino; Rosebell Onuma; Rachel Lombardo

Jacques
RobertFrancisco De Jesus AndinoRosebell
OnumaRachel
Lombardo

Project Description

The objectives of Project 3 are to determine the biodistribution and biological impacts of microplastics water contaminants using a sensitive and reliable experimental platform in the amphibian Xenopus. The overreaching hypothesis is that developmental exposure to microplastics will induce long-term perturbations of immune homeostasis, chronic inflammation, decreased resistance to microbial pathogens and poorer antimicrobial immunity.

Research Questions

• Studying Xenopus laevis tadpoles and frogs, a well-studied model organism relevant for human health.
• Where do microplastics accumulate in the tadpole and frog’s bodies? How do environmental conditions such as temperature affect this?
• How do microplastics affect immune system development and resistance to pathogens?

Products/Resources

1. 'What can frogs teach us about human health?’ – view the infographic on the Resources page  
2. Cai, B., Andino, F. D. J., McGrath, J. L., Romanick, S. S., & Robert, J. (2024). Ingestion of polyethylene terephthalate microplastic water contaminants by Xenopus laevis tadpoles negatively affects their resistance to ranavirus infection and antiviral immunity. Environmental Pollution, 356, 124340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124340