Alumni Association
Dr. Jeanette Rotchell (University of Sussex)
20 October 2011
Joint Research Project
Project title: Development of Biomonitoring System for Endocrine Disruptors Using Gene Expression Analysis Related to Estrogen Signaling Pathway in Sedentary Bivalve Mollusks
Japanese Lead Scientist: Professor Makoto Osada Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University
UK Counterpart: Dr. Jeanette Rotchell Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of Sussex
Project Duration: 2007 to 2008
1. Description of project
Estrogen and its analogues are released to the river as municipal effluent and eventually reach the coast as an environmental pollutant. Blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, is proposed to be a sentinel species to monitor a marine pollution because this species extensively inhabits along the Atlantic coast of major cities in Europe and North America and has a sedentary property. In our collaborative research we focussd on several genes regarding estrogen signaling to control reproduction of bivalve mollusks and examined the effect of endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs) on the expression of these genes to evaluate this approach for potential bio-monitoring of EDCs in the environment.
2. Departments and institutions involved
Tohoku University, Graduate School of Agricultural Science
Kumamoto University, Graduate School of Science and Technology
Boston University, Department of Biology
University of Sussex, Department of Biology and Environmental Science
3. How collaboration started
Our relationship started in 2003 with an exchange of scientific information of vitellogenin (Vtg) gene of blue mussel. We shared sequence data for Vtg and estrogen receptor (ER) genes, which have been cloned in each laboratory. We had a gathering in Dr. Rotchell’s laboratory to facilitate our direct collaboration under the fund of Bilateral Project of JSPS.
4. Amount of money awarded
￥5,000,000 was awarded to this project for two years from 2007-2008.
5. How participants benefitted from the scheme
We obtained novel knowledge as to isolation of genes related to reproduction in mussel and the influence of chemicals on these expressions. We extended our research field to each specialized area, investigating further novel characterized genes, and a graduate student, in particular, had a significant experience to collaborate within another laboratory in the foreign country and exchanged custom and culture of each country.
6. What have been the collaborative developments since the project finished
We still continued our relationship and publishing paper on our research today. We started our research looking at estrogen responses in mussel using specific genes (VTG and ER) and have since added others (serotonin receptor, cyclooxygenase and cyp3-like). We still possess datasets of differential gene expression from testosterone exposed mussels which we have yet to fully analyse and publish. We are actively looking for future funding to carry on our fruitful collaboration, which is a unique and highly complementary mix of pure and applied science in the fields of endocrinology and ecotoxicology.
7. Has there been further applications to JSPS for funding?
After the project finished our subsequent proposal to develop our collaborative research did not succeed unfortunately.
※Click here to view the full report (pdf).
