Project record of Molecular dynamics of the absorption, accumulation and elimination of metals in marine organisms from the North Sea

Information

Type
Project
Name
Molecular dynamics of the absorption, accumulation and elimination of metals in marine organisms from the North Sea
Description @en
Some metals are essential for the proper functioning of biological systems. These metals are required in only extremely low concentrations, and the limit between what is necessary and what is toxic is often very thin. Some marine organisms possess regulating mechanisms to control the absorption and elimination of specific essential metals. This study is designed to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of the absorption, accumulation and elimination of several metals (Cd, Hg and Zn) in invertebrates from the marine environment, especially in the common shrimp, Crangon crangon. Attention will be devoted to three aspects in particular : (1) the impact of the chemical speciation of the metal and other environmental factors on their absorption by living organisms; (2) the transport of metals from the exchange surfaces to the various tissues of the organisms (role of metallothioneines and other metal-binding proteins); (3) kinetics of the accumulation and elimination of metals in organisms in relation to the intra- and extra-cellular complexation of metals.
Parent project
Impulsprogramme "Marine Sciences"
Start date
1992-10
End date
1996-9

Institutes & people involved

Moens Luc
associated with: Universiteit Antwerpen; Faculteit Farmaceutische, Biomedische en Diergeneeskundige Wetenschappen; Departement Biochemie en Biotechnologie; Onderzoeksgroep Eiwitchemie
role: Promotor
Decleir Walter
associated with: Universiteit Antwerpen; Faculteit Wetenschappen; Departement Biologie; Onderzoeksgroep Systemisch Fysiologisch en Ecotoxicologisch Onderzoek
role: Promotor
Blust Ronny
associated with: Universiteit Antwerpen; Faculteit Wetenschappen; Departement Biologie; Onderzoeksgroep Systemisch Fysiologisch en Ecotoxicologisch Onderzoek
Belgian Science Policy
role: Sponsor

Expertise

Absorption (chemistry)
defined term set: ASFA Thesaurus List
term code: 14
Accumulation
defined term set: ASFA Thesaurus List
term code: 50
Chemical speciation
defined term set: ASFA Thesaurus List
term code: 1500
Marine invertebrates
defined term set: ASFA Thesaurus List
term code: 5007
Metallothioneins
defined term set: ASFA Thesaurus List
term code: 9559
Trace metals
defined term set: ASFA Thesaurus List
term code: 8674
taxonomic terms
Crangon crangon (Linnaeus, 1758) [Brown shrimp]
geographic terms
ANE, North Sea

special collections

Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning

record metadata

date created: 2003-11-26
date modified: 2007-04-03