COMPRENDO. Comparative research on endocrine disrupters - phytogenetic approach and common principles focussing on androgenic/antiandrogenic compounds.

Comprendo is an interdisciplinary, integrated approach addresses endocrine disruption in human and wildlife species, focused on androgenic/ antiandrogenic compounds (AACs). The project will identify human and environmental exposures to AACs. A variety of human-relevant models (cell lines, tissues, rodents) and wildlife species (amphibians, fish, echinoderms, crustaceans, molluscs) will be exposed to 13 chemicals and various environmental samples to develop new biological effect measures, including a molecular screen for genomic AAC effects. Common principles of AAC action will be identified and new models for the extrapolation on human health developed. Lab cultures of suitable invertebrates will be established and their baseline endocrinology analysed, facilitating the use of these species as standard test organisms. Finally, an evaluation of the risk originating from AACs for humans and wildlife will be performed.