Aquatic Toxicology Research Facility

In 2006-2007, the Toxicology Centre underwent significant expansion and renovation resulting in state-of-the art research facilities and equipment for exposure and effects assessments from molecular to ecosystem levels. The 650 m3 Aquatic Toxicology Research Facility (ATRF) and five walk-in controlled environment chambers provided unique capabilities that now make it the foremost university-based Centre in the country for water pollution research. Research laboratories at the Toxicology Centre are equipped with a diverse array of modern equipment used in toxicological research. Analytical chemistry labs can quantify virtually any inorganic or organic analyte using GC/MS, LC/MS/MS, ion chromatography, atomic absorption spectrometry, spectrophotometry, or spectrofluorometry. A comprehensive molecular biology suite includes RT-PCR and RNASeq for transcriptomics and Orbitrap LC/MS/MS for proteomics. Other lab facilities include a cell culture suite, light and fluorescence microscopes, and metabolic chambers. Field research in aquatic and terrestrial ecotoxicology is enabled through several research vessels, trucks, boat/backpack electrofishers, a mobile laboratory, and a wide variety of other sampling equipment.