Assumedly as a follow-up of a previous project (EPIBOOST Horizon Europe Twinning), the overarching aim of NEUROEPIMARK is assessing the potential of epigenetic changes (changes in DNA that are potentially heritable but do not entail changes in the genetic sequence) as early, robust biomarkers of exposure and (neuro)toxicity supporting the Ecological Risk Assessment frameworks. The project will deeply investigate DNA methylation and its outcomes in (eco)toxicological invertebrate models following exposure to environmental contaminants. Representatives of legacy and emerging environmental contaminants that are widespread in aquatic ecosystems will be tested that are potentially capable of neurotoxic activity. As model organisms, Daphnia magna and Caenorhabditis elegans were selected, the latter additionally providing insights for interpreting human health effects of exposure. The approach will consider dose effects at environmentally relevant contaminant levels, as well as long-term effects of the experimentally imposed environmental challenges. Whole genome and transcriptome analyses will be used for relating molecular changes to phenotypic effects at the sub-individual (using specific neurotoxicity endpoints and general endpoints responding to stress) and the (supra-)individual level, focusing e.g. on behaviour, reproductive output and somatic growth towards insights on long-term, population-level ecological outcomes. The integration of evidence gathered in all these stages will open the opportunity to draft Adverse Outcome PAthways for invertebrates comprehensively addressing the (eco)toxicological effects of selected contaminants, confirming or not so much the adequacy of regulated levels allowed in natural ecosystems deemed protective for the aquatic biota.
