The emphasis is on non-invasive biomarkers. Thus, biomarkers are developed for measurements in exhaled air, buccal cells, urine samples and small blood samples.
The ANIMO project is partially financed by the federal government and is coordinated by VITO. In the ANIMO project, we are developing new biomarkers in exhaled air, evaluating the predictive value of these biomarkers for respiratory health, and applying them to children 6-7 years of age in order to check whether environmental factors have an effect on the occurrence of asthma, allergies and bronchial disorders.
www.belspo.be/belspo/ssd/science/projects/ANIMO_nl.pdf (new window)
In developing new biomarkers, VITO uses new high throughput technology based on knowledge of the entire human genome, in which the gene expression is simultaneously measured in peripheral blood cells obtained from a small blood sample. At the request of the Flemish government, VITO is measuring time-based variation in gene expression profiles in relationship to exposure to and the effects of environmental pollution. The goal of this research is to check whether gene expression profiles can be used for early measurement of the harmful effects of environmental pollutants. A cell's response to exposure to an environmentally polluting substance can be reflected among others in changes in the gene expression. Consequently, monitoring gene expression profiles is seen as a promising approach to identifying sensitive biomarkers within a human biomonitoring programme.
VITO is investigating which biomarkers can be used to measure human exposure to and the effects of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives. The biomarker measurements, together with chemical measurements of outdoor and indoor air, will allow evaluation of the effect of extra-environmental and domestic sources of PAH exposure.
