E1241 Experimental and Applied Toxicology and Ecotoxicology - Practicals

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/0/3. 3 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jiří Novák, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. Mgr. Klára Hilscherová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Ing. Marie Smutná, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Marek Šudoma, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Zuzana Toušová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Klára Hilscherová, Ph.D.
RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Klára Hilscherová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites (in Czech)
NOW( E1240 Exp Appl Tox Ecotox )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of this course is practical training of students in up-to-date approaches towards hazard evaluation of chemicals and various types of samples, and use of obtained data in legislative context. The course focuses on experimental design and realization, results interpretation and work with eco/toxicological data towards their use in risk assessment.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Design, plan and carry out the eco/toxicological evaluation of hazardousness of various materials (chemical compounds, mixtures of chemicals, wastes, contaminated environmental matrices)
- Arrange a battery of biotests designed specifically according to the scope of the assessment
- Design the optimal test arrangement to minimize the cost and number of needed model organism and maximize the gained information
- Conduct the eco/toxicological biotest with model organisms on different trophic levels according to standard guidelines
- Analyse the obtained data and calculate the main toxicity parameters such as EC50, LOEC, NOEC
- Appraise the validity and representativeness of data obtained from eco/toxicological tests
- Predict the toxicity of various materials/compounds on the base of the results of eco/toxicological biotests
- Assess the limitations of the tests in extrapolation of the results to other species
- Discuss the practical aspects of ecotoxicological biotests
- Analyze and interpret the biotest results also from other institutions
- Prepare standard reports of the eco/toxicological assessment according to the legal and guideline requirements
Syllabus
  • 1) Introduction – course organization, current needs of eco/toxicological testing, requirements for evaluation of hazard of stressors, ethical aspects
  • 2) Experimental design, strategy for planning and realization of biotests, practical aspects of testing, evaluation, analysis and interpretation of the measured data, understanding to eco/toxicological data
  • 3) Work with toxicological and ecotoxicological databases, data interpretation, species sensitivity distributions (SSD)
  • 4) Legal context of biotests, standardized tests, guideline system. Tests with representatives of different trophic levels, special biotests, selection and setup of battery of biotests
  • 5) Case study – requirements and structure of dossiers according to REACH legislation – preparation of materials
  • 6) Test of ecotoxicity with decomposers – soil microbial test - nitrification
  • 7) Test of ecotoxicity for soil organisms (Collembola) + practical aspects of tests for solid matrices
  • 8) Test of acute toxicity for fish embryo Danio rerio, demonstration of fish toxicity tests
  • 9) In vitro tests on human cell models for the evaluation of specific effects of contaminants – biodetection systems – assessment of environmental samples
  • 10) Preparation of standardized reports from tests, GLP and validity requirements
  • 11) Excursion to accredited toxicological laboratories running standard toxicity assessment – examples of in vivo testing on mammals and alternative in vitro approaches
Literature
  • KOPP, Radovan, Klára HILSCHEROVÁ and Eva POŠTULKOVÁ. Základy vodní ekotoxikologie. Vydání první. Brno: Mendelova univerzita v Brně, 2015, 151 stran. ISBN 9788075093349. info
  • FARGAŠOVÁ, Agáta. Ekotoxikologické biotesty. 1. slovenské vyd. Bratislava: Perfekt, 2009, 317 s. ISBN 9788080464226. info
  • Principles and methods of toxicology. Edited by A. Wallace Hayes. 5th ed. New York: Informa Healthcare, 2008, xxiii, 227. ISBN 9780849337789. info
Teaching methods
The class consists of theoretical introductory part and set of practical exercises in small groups. The learning activities include individual home study of the methodology and theoretical preparation for the biotests (acknowledgement with the guidelines), practical realization of the biotests in laboratory, data analysis and preparation of detailed protocols from each biotest.
Assessment methods
Podmínky udělení zápočtu: aktivní účast na všech cvičeních, zpracování výsledků testů, vypracování a odevzdání podrobných protokolů ke každému provedenému testu, prezentace získaných výsledků – hodnocení rizik
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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