Metallothionein determination can be applied to learn about aquatic metal pollution and oxidative stress detoxification mechanisms through Problem‐based Learning

Abstract

A simple, repeatable and inexpensive laboratory practice applied to teach and discuss aquatic metal pollution and oxidative stress detoxification mechanisms through biomarker analyses, as well as important ecotoxicology concepts, is presented herein. It has been implemented in a university in Brazil to both undergraduate and Master's and PhD students, indicating usefulness to all these levels. Students learned to detect metallothionein and reduced glutathione concentrations in biological samples and investigate several variables of interest in biomonitoring assessments. In addition, statistical correlations were used to indicate the potential dual role played by MT in aquatic organisms, allowing for biological inferences regarding both aquatic metal pollution and oxidative stress detoxification mechanisms and maturing of ecotoxicological and biomonitoring concepts discussed and presented both theoretically and integrated to the laboratory findings. K E Y W O R D SEcotoxicology, Metal contamination, Metallothionein, Problem-based learning, Reduced glutathione

Enhancing Competency-Based Education in Instrumental Analysis: A Novel Approach Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography for Real-World Problem Solving

“…However, despite the theoretical simplicity of these problems, they should serve as the fundamental basis for achieving the learning objectives established as requirements for passing the course. Additionally, through the use of this methodology, students will develop other competencies, such as collaborative work, learning to work in teams, dividing tasks, learning communication strategies, and promoting peer teaching (explaining to others) [12,13]. Thus, this work is generally established as Problem-Based Learning (PBL) adapted to the context of instrumental analysis within analytical chemistry.…”

Structural Characterization and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Metallothionein from Oratosquilla oratoria

“…Since heavy metal stress is known to induce an increase in MT synthesis in various organisms [ 8 , 16 , 21 ], MT expression may be used as an early warning indicator to monitor heavy metal pollution in marine environments [ 9 , 17 , 22 ]. MTs have also been widely applied in health food and medicine, where they are used to maintain normal metabolism in an organism; for example, MTs have been utilized for heavy metal detoxification and antioxidation damage [ 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”