Andrew McKay (PhD Student)
University of Queensland

Project Title
Development of a Unicellular Cell Tool for the Toxicity Assessment of Single and a Mixture of Metals and Metalloids.

Biography
Andrew is a PhD student at the University of Queenslands National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicity, EnTox, studying with the Metals and Metalloids group.  Andrew's background in Biotechnology includes an honours year spent researching biomarkers for acid/bile reflux to elucidate the efficacy of various surgical and medical treatment options in the prevention of reflux induced oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Start Date
October 2006

Project Details
This project aims to quantify the dose response relationship of single and a mixture of prioritised metals and metalloids relevant to mining industries.  This will lead to the development of a fast and non-expensive cell based tool for the toxicity assessment of contaminants including mixtures.  He plans to use the project outcomes to enhance existing ecological and health risk assessment methodologies for metals.  These outcomes may then be incorporated into future revisions of the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) and NEPMs.