| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R25651/01 |
| Title: |
Sexual Chemistry : Identifying the Chemicals Responsible For Endocrine Disruption In Fish In UK Rivers |
| Principal Investigator: |
Tyler, Professor CR |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Biosciences |
| Organisation: |
University of Exeter |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 2001 |
Ends: |
30 September 2004 |
Value (£): |
132,119
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Bioprocess Engineering |
Instrumentation Eng. & Dev. |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Environment |
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
| Water |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Our research produced the original data to show that effluent from sewage treatment works was oestrogenic to fish and that the discharge of these effluents into UK rivers resulted in gonadal feminisation in wild fish. We subsequently showed that the reproductive potential of these 'intersex' fish ws compromised. This research was central in initiating an area of research now referred to as endocrine disruption, that potentially has very far reaching impacts for wildllife and humans and is a very high profile area of environmental research. We have identified some of the oestrogenic chemicals in STWs effluents, but we have been unable to determine the causative agents of intersexuality in fish exposed to those effluents. To do this we need to identify what chemicals (and their degradation products) get into fish exposed to complex effluents. This will be done using linked chromatographic MS-NMR methods, and sophisticated associated comptutational facilities. The innovative work addresses the main objectives of EPSRC's Life Sciences Programme, bringing physical sciences to underpin research in life sciences and linking EPSRC with NERC research programmes.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ex.ac.uk |