Ecotoxicology & Analytics

Department

Master's Program Biotechnology

Course unit code

BT_MA25_2_17

Number of ECTS credits allocated

Name of lecturer(s)

Prof. Dr. habil. Pflugmacher Lima Stephan

Recommended optional program components

none

Level of course unit

Master

Year of study

Spring 2026

Semester when the course unit is delivered

Language of instruction

English

Learning outcomes of the course unit

This interdisciplinary, research-intensive course examines the complex interactions between pollutants, biological systems, and ecosystems within the context of the Anthropocene. Emphasis is placed on developing advanced competencies in the diagnosis, quantification, and mitigation of pollutant effects through the application of state-of-the-art bioanalytical, molecular, and computational approaches. The course integrates fundamental knowledge of biotransformation and oxidative stress with emerging methodologies in omics sciences, bioassay and biosensor technologies, alongside bioremediation and data-driven frameworks for environmental modeling and risk assessment. This course gives the opportunity to cultivate the ability to critically evaluate contaminant dynamics across biological and ecological scales, fostering a systems-level understanding of environmental resilience and sustainability.

Learning Outcomes (Bloom’s Taxonomy–Aligned)
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain and critically evaluate the historical development, core principles, and modern scope of ecotoxicology, including the concepts of exposure, dose–response, fate, and effects across ecosystems.
(Knowledge, Understanding, Evaluation)
2. Differentiate and analyze the toxicological behavior and environmental dynamics of major contaminant classes—such as metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, PFAS, nanomaterials, and microplastics.
(Analysis, Application)
3. Interpret and apply mechanistic frameworks of toxic action at molecular, cellular, and organismal levels, including pathways of oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, genotoxicity, and biotransformation (Phase I & II).
(Application, Analysis)
4. Construct and utilize Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) to link molecular-level mechanisms to population and ecosystem outcomes using systems-level reasoning.
(Synthesis, Evaluation)
5. Design and conduct ecotoxicological experiments using classical and next-generation bioassays (e.g., Vibrio, Daphnia, fish embryos, in vitro cell lines) to assess cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.
(Application, Creation)
6. Evaluate and implement biosensor and omics-based technologies—including electrochemical, optical, microfluidic, and eDNA platforms—for environmental monitoring and rapid toxicity screening.
(Evaluation, Application, Creation)
7. Apply quantitative and computational tools (e.g., dose-response modeling, mixture toxicity, Species Sensitivity Distributions, and machine learning) to analyze and visualize ecotoxicological data using R or Python.
(Application, Synthesis)
8. Critically assess and integrate multi-source data to support modern Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) frameworks, linking omics-level evidence to regulatory endpoints under EU REACH, OECD, and EFSA guidelines.
(Evaluation, Synthesis)
9. Develop and propose biotechnological solutions for environmental detoxification, including microbial and plant-based bioremediation, bioaugmentation, and synthetic ecology approaches aligned with green biotechnology principles.
(Creation, Evaluation)
10. Synthesize and communicate ecotoxicological research findings effectively—using scientific reports, visualizations, and policy-relevant narratives—to diverse stakeholders including regulators and the public.
(Synthesis, Communication, Evaluation)
11. Design, execute, and defend an independent applied research project integrating molecular, computational, and biotechnological approaches to solve a real-world ecotoxicological problem.
(Creation, Evaluation, Reflection)

Course contents

Module 1 – Principles and Scope of Ecotoxicology
• Historical and modern perspectives
• Fundamentals: exposure, dose–response, fate, and effects
• Major contaminant classes: metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, PFAS
• New challenges: nanomaterials and microplastics
Module 2 – Mechanisms of Toxic Action
• Concepts of exposure, bioavailability, dose-response, and trophic transfer
• Molecular and cellular pathways of toxicity
• Biotransformation Phase I and Phase II
• Oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, genotoxicity
• Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) and systems-level understanding
Module 3 – Bioassays, Biosensors, and Monitoring
• Whole-organism bioassays (Vibrio, algae, Daphnia, fish embryos, plant seeds)
• In vitro assays and cell lines (hepatocytes, gill cells, human cell surrogates)
• Classical vs. next-generation bioassays
• Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity assays (Comet assay, MTT, Ames test)
• Biosensor platforms: electrochemical, optical, microfluidic
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) and high-throughput omic-based monitoring
• Biotechnological biosensors and synthetic biology approaches
Module 4 – Quantitative and Computational Ecotoxicology
• Dose-response modeling and mixture toxicity
• Species Sensitivity Distributions (SSD)
• Machine learning and in silico toxicity prediction
• Data integration and visualization (R, Python, or specialized tools)
Module 5 – Environmental Risk Assessment and Regulation
• Modern ERA frameworks (EU REACH, OECD, EFSA)
• Linking omics data to regulatory endpoints
• Probabilistic risk assessment and weight-of-evidence approaches
• Risk communication and science-policy translation
Module 6 – Biotechnological Solutions and Applications
• Bioremediation and detoxification using microbes, plants, and enzymes
• Bioaugmentation, phytoremediation, and synthetic ecology
• Eco-design and green biotechnology principles
Module 7 – Case Studies and Applied Project
• Real-world ecotoxicological investigations
• Integration of molecular and field data
• Design of a biotech-based monitoring or remediation concept

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course comprises an interactive mix of lectures, discussions and individual and group work.

Work placement(s)

none

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