What is it about

Assessing the state-of-art and potential for implementation of omics technologies in marine ecotoxicological research, and developing tools and standards to match researchers’ and regulatory needs

What motivated this workshop

Almost 30 years later, the contribution of omics approaches to regulatory toxicology of environmental species remains contientious as experimental pipelines do not yet adequately abide to the needs of tiered testing frameworks for ecological risk assessments.

In contrast, the recent advances in marine genomic resources, accessibility of sequencing and analysis, and new techniques for non-model environmental species are paving the way towards the harmonized use and implementation of omic approaches in marine functional ecotoxicology.

Toxicogenomic approaches are pivotal to understand pollutants' mode of action and inform the design predictive bioassays. This is vital to prevent and remediate pollution in the marine environment, directly impacting biodiversity and human health.

Main expected deliverable

  • Benchmarking knowledge and tools
  • Description of best practices for data standardization
  • Bringing together and training a network of marine ecotoxicologists

Who is it for

MsC, PhD, ECRs (priority registration) and researchers, mainly for the fields of toxicology, comparative physiology and functional genomics. Priority to EuroMarine members.

About

The MOST workshop aims to enhance the practical application of omics technologies in marine toxicology by providing expert guidance on their implementation and data integration. It addresses challenges such as limited comprehension, inconsistent workflows, and study replication with marine model species. The workshop seeks to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, improve the production and use of omics data, and produce a peer-reviewed publication with best practices, recommendations, and perspectives for advancing marine toxicological research.

Key Objectives

  • Assess the state-of-the-art of omics technologies and their potential for implementation in marine ecotoxicology research.
  • Highlight the expertise and knowledge gaps among marine toxicologists for the effective application of omics techniques to their research.
  • Critically evaluate the contributions of omics in ecotoxicology to chemical risk assessment and its integration into regulatory frameworks.
  • Develop standardized methods and analytical pipelines for harmonized use of omics technologies, ensuring reproducibility and data quality.
  • Facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations and provide hands-on training to empower ecotoxicologists with the tools and methodologies for effective use of omics in their research.
  • Encourage the adoption of FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) principles in the management and sharing of omics data for future exploitation.

By addressing these objectives, the workshop aims to advance the use of omics technologies in marine toxicology, promote informed data integration, and enhance their utility for ecological conservation and regulatory practices.

Expected Outcomes

  1. A peer-reviewed publication summarizing the state of omics technologies in marine ecotoxicology, including benefits, constraints, and best practice recommendations for data analysis and management.
  2. A set of best practices and standardized workflows for the use and validation of omics technologies in marine toxicology.
  3. Hands-on training and online sessions to equip participants with the skills to integrate omics data into marine ecotoxicology research effectively.
  4. The establishment of long-lasting interdisciplinary collaborations between marine toxicologists, bioinformaticians, and omics experts.
  5. Promotion of FAIR principles for better management and reuse of omics data in ecotoxicological research.

Expected Impact

This workshop aims to advance the use of omics technologies in marine toxicology, directly contributing to SDG 14 by enhancing efforts to conserve marine ecosystems and biodiversity. It aligns with the UN Decade of Ocean Science and the EU "Restore our Oceans and Waters" mission by addressing marine pollution, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and building skills in molecular and computational biology. By providing targeted training and developing a network of experts, the workshop will support more effective chemical risk assessments, promote sustainable management of marine resources, and improve ocean health. These efforts will have long-term benefits for food security, human well-being, and global biodiversity conservation.

Registration

For registration and participation to this workshop you should reach out to Angelica Miglioli angelica.miglioli@imev-mer.fr.