Scientific Symposium “Small Solution for Big Water-Related Problems: Innovative Microarrays and Small Sensors to Cope with Water Quality and Food Security”

Stefania Marcheggiani, Roberto Spurio, Lucia Cimarelli, Duarte Tito and Laura Mancini
Additional contact information
Stefania Marcheggiani: Environmental, Quality and Fishfarm Unit, Environment & Primary Prevention Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
Roberto Spurio: Laboratory of Genetics, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Lucia Cimarelli: Laboratory of Genetics, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Duarte Tito: Elysium Projects Ltd., Stanton, Glyn Garth, LL59 5PE Anglesey, Wales, UK
Laura Mancini: Environmental, Quality and Fishfarm Unit, Environment & Primary Prevention Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-9

Abstract: This issue presents the conclusive results of two European Commission funded Projects, namely Universal Microarrays for the Evaluation of Fresh-water Quality Based on Detection of Pathogens and their Toxins (MicroAQUA) and Rationally Designed Aquatic Receptors (RADAR). These projects focused their activities on the quality of drinking water as an extremely important factor for public health of humans and animals. The MicroAQUA Project aimed at developing a universal microarray chip for the detection of various pathogens (cyanobacteria, bacteria, viruses and parasitic protozoa) and their toxins in waters. In addition, the project included the detection of select species of diatoms, which represent reliable bio-indicators to assess overall water quality. Large numbers of compounds are released into the environment; some of these are toxins such as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and can affect the endocrine, immune and nervous systems of a wide range of animals causing alterations such as reproductive disorders and cancer. Detection of these contaminants in water systems is important to protect sensitive environmental sites and reduce the risk of toxins entering the food chain. A modular platform for monitoring toxins in water and food production facilities, using biosensors derived from aquatic organisms, was the main goal of RADAR Project.

Keywords: water quality; emerging pathogens; public health; endocrine disrupting compounds; microchip technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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