Using invertebrate models to investigate chemical-induced immunotoxicity

Chemical pollution is increasingly recognized as one of the major causes of disease and premature death in humans and wildlife. Many chemicals may not be harmful for healthy individuals, but may directly or indirectly affect the immune system, turning organisms more susceptible to different disease-causing agents (e.g. bacterial pathogens). Her presentation will focus on how chemicals may indirectly affect the immune response of invertebrates by impairing other important biological pathways such as the antioxidant system and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.