Molecular diagnostic technologies play a significant role in the practice of medicine, public health, pharmaceutical industry and, more recently, in the environmental field.

DNA microarray is one of these new technolog ies which have progressed rapidly in the hands of biological researchers for assessing gene expression analysis. It provides a global view of gene expression in different organisms in response to a stressor (drug, chemical pollutants, UV light, etc.). This technology allows scientists to understand the mechanism of toxicity, to identify specific biomarkers, and to correlate dose-response in long and short term exposure. The Seminar will give an overview of our activit ies focused on the development of biomarkers as indicator of water quality. We have used DNA Microarray and Real Time PCR to identify genes which can be potentially used for the detection of chemical stressors, especially the compounds linked to the Water Frame Directive. A new project focused on microbial biodiversity changes in the FrameWork Program 2007 will be also briefly introduced.

Teresa Lettieri. “Recent applications of DNA Microarray technology to Toxicology and Ecotoxicology.  Environ Health Perspect (114 ): 4-9, January 2006.