SILENT DISRUPTORS: AGED PLASTIC MICROFIBERS AND IBUPROFEN IN THE REMODELING OF THE MICROBIOTA-GUT-BRAIN AND ENTEROHEPATIC AXES IN AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL MODELS

• Grant number: 25/02048-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Renata de Britto Mari
• Grantee: Gabriela Pustiglione Marinsek
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB-CLP). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/02394-8 - Morphofunctional evaluation of the sublethal effects of microfibers of textile origin in association with the antibiotic amoxicillin in organisms of different trophic levels., AP.R

Abstract

Environmental contamination by aged plastic microfibers (MPEs) and ibuprofen (IBU) extends beyond their physical and chemical impact on ecosystems-these emerging pollutants may act as silent disruptors of intestinal and neurological health. This project investigates how these substances reshape the microbiota-gut-brain and enterohepatic axes, affecting not only aquatic organisms but also mammals, with potential implications for human health. Using an innovative and interdisciplinary approach, we combine metagenomics, metabolomics, and molecular analyses to explore the effects of these contaminants on the gut microbiota, bile acid metabolism, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as well as intestinal barrier integrity and inflammatory responses. Additionally, we will assess behavioral and neurochemical alterations, providing a mechanistic understanding of the neurotoxic and metabolic effects of these exposures. The incorporation of the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) model will allow us to integrate findings into a predictive framework, identifying critical biomarkers and potential long-term effects of these contaminants. The results of this study will contribute to advancements in ecotoxicology and public health, providing essential data for environmental policies and mitigation strategies to address the impact of emerging pollutants (AU)