Effects on Bio-organisms

Concern is growing about the impact of microplastics on the marine and freshwater ecosystem, and in particular the effect on the food chain. In addition to leaching harmful additives, microplastics generate a surface biofilm that concentrates organic pollutants such as pesticides and attracts potentially harmful bacteria. This biota is consumed by marine organisms with potentially harmful consequences for the organisms themselves, the food chain, and human health. Issues such as how microplastics affect reproduction, growth, and productivity of bio-organisms, and how changes in immune response can lead to increased susceptibility to infection, are critically important, as they can lead to disruption in the food chain. In terms of physical harm, there is evidence of tiny particles penetrating into tissue, or into the brain, causing behavioral changes. Such research demands cellular imaging and assay technologies, gene sequencing, and proteomic tools.

Typical applications include:

• Cellular stress and inflammation, oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, cell viability, and hormone analysis
• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) studies
• Cell invasion, uptake, and localization studies
• Localization and analysis of tiny particles embedded within tissue and cells
• Recognition, characterization, and size calculation of microplastic particles in tissue
• Imaging for tracking infection and immune response in live fish and crustaceans
• Next-generation sequencing of biofilm bacterial genomes
• Nanoparticle analysis

For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedure.