A nature protocol on dioxin-like activity

Dioxin-like activity is an important biomarker for the contamination with several of the most prominent pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB), and Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins and -furans (PCDD/F).

We have longstanding experience with measuring this activity using a variety of different assays. 

Maybe this is why we were asked by nature protocols to write an article about the bioanalysis of dioxin-like activity. Since nature protocols publishes detailed procedures for laboratory techniques, we decided to communicate why and how to use the micro-EROD assay with the H4IIE permanent rat liver cell line.

The main reason for choosing this particular assay was its peak performance in a direct comparison of alternative bioassays we conducted earlier.

The whole exercise led to a nice article about the "Determination of the CYP1A-inducing potential of single substances, mixtures and extracts of samples in the micro-EROD assay with H4IIE cells".