Investigating how certain pesticides affect the nervous system using a freshwater organism.
Official title: Organophosphorus pesticide bioactivation and detoxification in an invertebrate rapid screening model to study mechanisms of neurotoxicity
Funded at Swarthmore College · NIH-11119708 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain pesticides might affect the brain development of children, using a small freshwater worm to help find out which proteins are involved in breaking down these chemicals, so we can better understand the potential risks to human health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Swarthmore College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Swarthmore, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $391,640 |
| NIH project number | 1R21ES037433-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11119708 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and adults who may have been exposed to organophosphorus pesticides.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to organophosphorus pesticides or do not have neurodevelopmental concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the effects of organophosphorus pesticides on neurodevelopment, particularly in children. Using a freshwater planarian, researchers will develop a high-throughput screening method to assess neurotoxicity and identify the key proteins involved in pesticide metabolism. The study aims to establish this organism as a model for studying developmental neurotoxicity, which could help in understanding how these pesticides impact human health. By examining the biochemical pathways of pesticide detoxification, the research seeks to provide insights into the risks associated with pesticide exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention of neurodevelopmental issues linked to pesticide exposure in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using model organisms to study neurotoxicity, making this approach promising yet still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Collins, Eva-Maria Schoetz — Swarthmore College
- Study coordinator: Collins, Eva-Maria Schoetz
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.