Environmental Monitoring

Are Traditional Water Quality Methods Enough?

Traditional techniques rely on analyses and data for individual contaminants. Real world exposure generally occurs as mixtures of different chemical compounds. According to the EPA this presents risks posed to humans and the environment from:

• chemicals without toxicity information
• the presence and concentrations of other compounds
• chemicals that work together to increase the toxic potential

To understand the risk posed by complex samples cell-based assay are needed to characterize cumulative effects on humans and other organisms.

Cell-Based Assays: The Next Wave in Evaluating Water Quality

Cell-based reporter assays such as those provided by INDIGO Biosciences screen for total bioactivity for a specific pathway of importance. They can detect the toxicity of unknown chemicals and can account for the cumulative effects simplifying the issues posed by complex mixtures in analytical methods. INDIGO has an extensive list of cellular bioassays that are predictive of cellular toxicity pathways including endocrine disruption, altered xenobiotic metabolism and adaptive stress responses.

INDIGO's assays can detect the cumulative effect of bioactive compounds in extracted environmental matrices and provide important biological context. They are:

• All-Inclusive
• Sensitive
• Cost Effective
• Reproducible
• and Easy to Perform