Evaluation of ABC transporter gene expression in invertebrates as a biomarker in aquatic environments: Is it as useful as we think?

Sensitive indicators of chemical pollution in freshwater are needed to assess risks to and to protect our natural water resources. While such indicators, or biomarkers, are well developed in open-water organisms, there is a lack when it comes to benthic organisms and especially arthropods. To fill this gap, molecular biomarkers signaling exposure to EPA priority chemical pollutants will be developed in the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca. RNA-seq performed on H. azteca will provide a large number of potential stress response genes to assess as biomarkers in terms of sensitivity, reliability, and robustness. These biomarkers in a benthic arthropod will provide sensitive tools to facilitate the biologically relevant assessment of freshwater systems during ecological risk assessment.