Relative toxicity of metals from different classes in the freshwater crustracean Daphnia magna : modelling, interactions and subcellular targets

Modelling the relative toxicity of metals based on the relationship between their chemical structure and their biological activity is an excellent way to estimate the toxicity of metals, specifically those for which toxicological information remains insufficient or even nonexistent. This is the case of various critical metals for the ecological transition urgently needed to face current environmental challenges, which are not under environmental regulation. To contribute to the development of such predictive tools, this PhD project has the goal to generate a body of knowledge on the subchronic toxicity, the type of interactions and the toxic behavior (at the subcellular and molecular level) of a series of contaminants encompassing class A (La, Ce, U), B (Ag, Cu, Pd) and borderline (Ni, Co) metals in the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna to relate their chemical characteristics with the observed toxic behavior.

This project applies innovative approaches in toxicology, environmental modelling, metallomics, such as subcellular metal partitioning approach and hyphenated techniques (e.g., SEC-ICP-QQQ; RP-HPLC ICP-QQQ). The candidate will have access to cutting edge analytical platforms located in both universities. This research will contribute to the development of a thorough and rigorous understanding of metal toxicity necessary to anticipate metal impact on aquatic ecosystems. All the results expected in this project have the potential to accelerate the establishment of predictive tools in the environmental regulation of emerging contaminants.

Research in our group focuses first on understanding how trace metals cause deleterious effects by interacting with important physiological biomolecules at the subcellular level in different tissues of aquatic organisms, and then on evaluating the biochemical and physiological consequences of these interactions from individuals to the ecosystem level.

Our main approaches include laboratory and field experiments, subcellular metal partitioning approaches and hyphenated techniques related to environmental metallomics. The in-depth knowledge of metal toxicity we generate will help to develop environmental tools to be used for the assessment of the impact of trace metals on aquatic ecosystems.

To meet the eligibility requirements for the PhD in Biology research program offered by UQAM.
Background and skills in environmental chemistry, biochemistry, biology, toxicology, analytical chemistry or other related fields
Good skills in laboratory work
Strong interest in scientific research and environmental toxicity
Knowledge of spoken and written French and/or English