How Scientists Bridge Lab Research and Real-World Solutions
September 7-10, 2015 ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Imagine walking along a pristine riverbank, watching fish dart through crystal-clear water. What you can't see are the invisible chemical threats lurking beneath the surface—pesticides from agricultural runoff, microplastics from our cities, and complex compounds leaching from construction materials. These hidden dangers represent one of humanity's greatest environmental challenges, and understanding them requires specialized science that bridges the gap between laboratory research and practical application.
This exact challenge brought together over 200 scientists from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria in September 2015 at ETH Zurich for the 20th Annual Meeting of the SETAC German Language Branch (SETAC GLB). Under the leadership of Dr. Inge Werner, Director of the Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, these researchers gathered to tackle a crucial question: how can we better translate scientific discoveries into real-world solutions that protect our planet? 1
The conference theme—"Ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry—from research to application"—reflected a growing recognition that understanding chemical threats isn't enough; we must also develop practical strategies to mitigate them. From the concerning accumulation of microplastics in waterways to the hidden dangers in seemingly innocuous construction materials, researchers presented cutting-edge approaches to monitor, assess, and address environmental contamination .
Professor Janet Hering emphasized the growing need for professionals who can effectively communicate between researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives .
Professor Emmanuel Frossard highlighted the vital importance of healthy soil ecosystems in recognition of the UN's International Year of Soil .
Dr. Michael Schärer presented Switzerland's nationwide effort to reduce micropollutant contamination in rivers through improved wastewater treatment .
Scientists identify environmental threats and potential solutions through rigorous experimentation.
Specialists interpret technical findings for non-expert audiences including policymakers and industry leaders.
Regulatory frameworks are developed based on scientific evidence to address environmental challenges.
Researchers monitor the effectiveness of implemented solutions and refine approaches based on results.
Aquatic sediments represent one of the most challenging environments for ecotoxicologists to assess. These complex matrices can accumulate persistent pollutants including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, furans, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that may persist for decades while continually affecting aquatic ecosystems .
Researchers collect sediment samples from potentially contaminated sites using specialized coring devices that preserve the layered structure of the sediment.
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos are exposed to these native sediment samples in a way that simulates natural conditions.
The embryos remain in contact with sediments for specific durations (typically 96 hours), during which they may uptake bioavailable contaminants.
Researchers assess EROD activity, embryotoxicity, teratogenicity, and gene expression changes following exposure.
Parallel sediment samples are analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to quantify specific contaminant concentrations.
Biological response data are correlated with chemical measurements to establish cause-effect relationships .
The FE-EROD assay yielded several important findings that advance sediment assessment. Researchers demonstrated that enzyme induction (EROD activity) provided a sensitive indicator of exposure to dioxin-like compounds, often detecting biological effects at lower concentrations than traditional toxicity endpoints .
| Sample Location | EROD Induction (fold change) | Embryo Mortality (%) | Major Malformations (%) | PCB Concentration (mg/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reference Site | 1.0 | 5 | 2 | 0.02 |
| Downstream Urban | 8.7 | 35 | 28 | 2.45 |
| Industrial Outfall | 12.4 | 62 | 41 | 5.83 |
| Agricultural Drain | 3.2 | 18 | 12 | 0.37 |
Table 1: Representative Results from FE-EROD Assay Testing on River Sediments
The data demonstrated strong correlations between PCB concentrations and biological responses, particularly EROD induction and malformation rates. These findings validated the assay as a predictive tool for assessing sediment quality and identifying sites requiring remediation .
Ecotoxicological research relies on specialized reagents and materials to assess chemical effects on living organisms. The following table describes key tools mentioned in conference presentations:
| Reagent/Material | Primary Function | Application Example |
|---|---|---|
| Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos | Model organism for toxicity testing | FE-EROD assay for sediment assessment; developmental toxicity studies |
| Luciferase substrates | Generate light output in response to enzymatic activity | Bacterial bioluminescence inhibition assays for general toxicity screening |
| Cell culture lines | Provide standardized biological systems for mechanism-specific testing | EROD assays with cultured fish cells for detecting dioxin-like compounds |
| Passive sampling devices | Accumulate chemicals from water or sediment to measure bioavailable concentrations | Monitoring hydrophobic contaminants in surface waters |
| Standardized reference toxicants | Quality control and comparison across laboratories | Benzopyrene as positive control in EROD assays |
| Gene expression assay kits | Measure changes in mRNA levels of specific genes | Quantitative PCR analysis of stress response genes in zebrafish embryos |
| Laboratory leaching tests | Simulate environmental release of chemicals from materials | Tank tests for construction materials |
Table 2: Essential Research Reagents and Materials in Ecotoxicology
A central theme throughout the conference was how research findings directly influence environmental regulations and monitoring approaches. The Swiss Modular Stepwise Procedure for assessing water quality provides an excellent example of this research-to-application pipeline. This framework incorporates bioassay results alongside chemical measurements to evaluate water quality, with specific requirements for method standardization, sensitivity, and robustness .
One of the conference's most surprising revelations came from sessions on the ecotoxicology of construction materials. Researchers presented compelling evidence that ordinary building materials—including paints, sealants, and waterproofing compounds—can leach significant quantities of chemicals into the environment .
Presented a transport model that predicted biocide emissions from building facades under different weather scenarios, which would later become the user-friendly software COMLEAM .
Showed that organic biocides from coatings and textiles can leach into soil and waterways, with laboratory tests often overestimating environmental emissions .
The conference highlighted several emerging research priorities that continue to shape environmental toxicology today:
Early findings on distribution and effects of microplastic particles in aquatic environments .
Understanding how complex mixtures of stressors interact in real-world environments .
Advances in devices that accumulate bioavailable contaminants over time .
Linking transient exposures to long-term consequences across species .
| Research Priority | Key Challenges | Potential Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Microplastic impacts | Detection limitations; complex interactions with other pollutants; long-term effects on ecosystems | Informing plastic waste policies; developing biodegradable alternatives; wastewater treatment improvements |
| Multiple stressor assessment | Designing experiments that reflect environmental complexity; predicting interactive effects; prioritizing combinations | Refined risk assessment frameworks; targeted mitigation strategies; predictive modeling |
| Nanomaterial toxicology | Characterization in complex matrices; tracking environmental transformation; assessing novel properties | Safe-by-design nanomaterial development; appropriate regulatory classification; monitoring approaches |
| Epigenetic effects | Linking transient exposures to long-term consequences; extrapolating across species; field validation of lab findings | Early warning systems for population-level impacts; understanding transgenerational effects of pollution |
Table 3: Emerging Research Priorities in Ecotoxicology
The 2015 SETAC GLB Annual Meeting in Zurich demonstrated how environmental toxicology has evolved from simply documenting pollution to developing practical solutions that prevent it. By bringing together researchers from academia, industry, and regulatory agencies, the conference facilitated the knowledge exchange necessary to translate laboratory findings into real-world protections 1 .
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the conference was the growing emphasis on preventing environmental contamination rather than merely remediating it. From designing safer construction materials to implementing advanced wastewater treatment systems, the research presented highlighted opportunities to interrupt pollution pathways before they affect ecosystems .
As climate change and increasing chemical production create new environmental challenges, the integrated approaches showcased in Zurich—combining sophisticated laboratory methods with field validation and regulatory application—will become increasingly essential. The conference underscored that protecting our environment requires not only scientific excellence but also effective collaboration across disciplines and sectors 1 .
Nearly a decade later, the research presented at this meeting continues to influence environmental policies and practices across Europe and beyond, demonstrating the enduring importance of translating scientific knowledge into practical applications that safeguard our planet for future generations.