Cutting-Edge Methods for Marine Immunotoxicity Testing at the Cellular Level

• Grant number: 25/17338-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro
• Grantee: Ana Julia de Oliveira Gotto
• Supervisor: Christine Paillard
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Tecnologia (FT). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Laboratoire Des Sciences De L'Environnement Marin, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/20219-1 - Initial approaches to evaluate the immunomodulation of PFOS using Parhyale hawaiensis as a model, BP.IC

Abstract

Studies in immunotoxicology utilizing marine invertebrate organisms have been expanding due to the necessity for new methodological approaches aiming to reduce and, eventually, substitute vertebrate testing. This research internship proposes to learn and apply advanced cellular analysis techniques using the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, and the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas as model organisms. The primary objective is to gain proficiency in flow cytometry and automated epifluorescence microscopy at the Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR) in France, a leading center for bivalve immunology research. Specific objectives include: 1) mastering standardized protocols to evaluate Total and Differential Hemocyte Counts (THC and DHC), lysosomal membrane stability, and phagocytosis; and 2) standardizing hemocyte-pathogen interaction assays using fluorescently-labeled Vibrio (GFP) to quantify cellular immunocompetence. The knowledge and technical skills acquired during this internship will be transferred to the student's home institution (LAEG) and applied to the marine amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis, a key model organism in ecotoxicology studies and promising one for immunotoxicology studies. This project aims to establish a robust foundation for future immunotoxicity assessments, filling a methodological gap and enhancing LAEG's capacity to investigate the effects of emerging contaminants at the cellular level.