Dr. Dorta is currently Associate Professor of Toxicology and Clinical Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto / University of São Paulo (Brazil). He did his Postdoctoral study in Pharmacology at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), his PhD in Toxicology (2007) at the University of São Paulo (USP), having performed part of the work at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (USA) under the supervision of Prof Kendal Wallace, he also have a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences /concentration area: Toxicology (2003) also from the University of São Paulo and is Graduated in Pharmacy (2000) and major in Biochemistry (2001) from the Methodist University of Piracicaba. He is also a specialist in Clinical Pharmacology from the Methodist University of Piracicaba (2002). Dr. Dorta is a Past-President of the Brazilian Society of Toxicology (2013-2015) and was Member of the Executive Committee of IUTOX (International Union of Toxicology) between 2013-2016. Dr. Dorta is also one of the founders and past-President of the Brazilian society of forensic Sciences - SBCF (2019-2021). Author of about 75 articles and 18 book chapters in the area of Toxicology and organizer of the book Forensic Toxicology published in 2018 by Blucher publishing group (in portuguese). Dr. Dorta is also one of the editors of the book "Toxicity assessment- Methods and Protocols" published in 2021 by Springer publishing group. He has experience in teaching and research with an emphasis on Biochemical Toxicology, working on topics such as mitochondria, cell death, apoptosis, autophagy, cell culture, zebrafish and emerging contaminants. He also has experience in toxicological assessment of ingredients applied to the pharmaceutical industry and experience in PDE / ADE determinations, according to ICH Q3C (residual solvents) and Q3D (elemental impurities) guidelines.
Endocrine Disruption and Neurotoxicity Induced by Emerging Contaminants
Prof. Dr. Daniel Junqueira Dorta University of São Paulo - Brazil
This presentation will discuss the profound impacts of various emerging environmental contaminants, particularly on endocrine function and neural development. Emerging contaminants, including brominated flame retardants, perfluorinated compounds, phthalates, and specific pesticides, present a challenge due to their ubiquity in ecosystems and their bioaccumulation potential. Many of these compounds exhibit endocrine-disrupting properties, which interfere with hormonal pathways, and neurotoxic effects that can impair cognitive and behavioral development, particularly during sensitive developmental windows. The presentation will also highlight recent research of our group using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism, which provides insights into the mechanisms of action of these contaminants on reproductive and metabolic pathways. This includes data showing gene expression changes in critical regulatory pathways which are linked to reproductive health and metabolic function. Additionally, It will be presented findings on neurobehavioral effects in zebrafish larvae, demonstrating alterations in social behavior and response to novel environments, which underscore the neurological impact of exposure. Finally, this presentation will emphasize the importance of improving wastewater treatment, updating environmental policies, and increasing public awareness to mitigate the risks associated with these contaminants.
