Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
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Vsevolod Pavshintsev, a PhD candidate in biology and associate professor at the RUDN University Institute of Ecology, is developing an innovative method for assessing the condition of freshwater bodies using zebrafish and artificial intelligence. The project, supported by a university grant, aims to move beyond simple chemical analysis of water to understanding how pollutants impact living organisms.
The problem with modern ecology is that standard methods can detect traces of antibiotics, hormones, or pesticides in water, but they don't reveal how these substances affect flora and fauna. The solution Vsevolod Vyacheslavovich is developing uses a living organism as a sensitive biosensor.
"In simple terms, the project creates a 'living water test' system: we take water from a reservoir, expose it to a model organism, and evaluate not only the chemical composition but also the biological response—behavior, stress, and molecular changes," says Vsevolod Pavshintsev.
How does this work
During the study, scientists monitored the behavior of Danio rerio fish using video tracking systems. Artificial intelligence detects even the slightest changes: decreased activity, unusual movement patterns, and increased anxiety.
"The novelty is that the method combines several levels at once: AI-based behavioral video tracking, biochemical markers (for example, oxidative stress), the expression of genes associated with toxic processes in the body, and, potentially, the intestinal microbiome," says Vsevolod Pavshintsev.
All data is combined into a digital "response profile," which not only identifies the pollution but also determines its nature—whether it's toxic, hormonal, or neurotoxic. For example, when exposed to hormone-like substances, fish may become less active, freeze more often, and avoid illuminated areas.
"We use zebrafish because they are currently one of the most popular model organisms in biology, comparable in importance to mice and rats. Their advantages include high sensitivity to pollutants, a rapid development cycle, the availability of standardized behavioral tests, and a large scientific research base. In the future, it will be possible to create digital behavioral models, but completely replacing animals is not yet possible, since pollutants act through hormones, the nervous system, and metabolism," says Vsevolod Pavshintsev.
From laboratory to practice
The project is already moving from a purely scientific focus to an applied one—a database of fish reactions, as well as their behavioral and molecular profiles, is being compiled. The scientist sees the future of the research in the creation of service laboratories or ready-made test kits, and, ultimately, in the implementation of the methodology into state environmental monitoring standards.
"The most likely first practical customer is fish farms, because it's important for them to quickly understand whether the water is suitable for fish farming before large-scale production launches," says Vsevolod Pavshintsev.
Potential users of the development may also include Rosprirodnadzor, sanitary and epidemiological services, and industrial enterprises requiring wastewater monitoring. A key advantage is its targeted approach to problem solving.
"If the method reveals the type of impact on aquatic life, it changes the approach to restoration: treatment measures can be selected more specifically, rather than blindly. For example, toxic damage requires the removal of chemical toxins, while hormonal effects require technologies to remove endocrine-disrupting compounds," says Vsevolod Pavshintsev.
Grant support from RUDN University enabled the team to purchase reagents for biochemistry and molecular biology, conduct RT-qPCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction), and synthesize primers. Funds were also used to maintain laboratory fish, finance publications in scientific journals, and test the results at international conferences. For example, Vsevolod Vyacheslavovich presented the project at the prestigious FEBS (Federation of European Biochemical Societies) conference.
"The main goal is to make bioindication on Danio rerio a practical tool for environmental monitoring, not just an academic approach. And, more generally, to popularize these fish as a valuable scientific tool that complements and deepens scientific approaches in a wide range of fields," says Vsevolod Pavshintsev.
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