Bioassay

Bioassay setup

A biological test system (here: Daphnia magna) is exposed to various experimental conditions (here: several microplastics preparations), to which it reacts.

Some indicator of these reactions (e.g. a color change) is assessed, typically in a highly automated fashion through microplates like this.

A bioassay is an analytical method to determine the potency or effect of a substance by its effect on living animals or plants (in vivo), or on living cells or tissues (in vitro).^[1]^[2] A bioassay can be either quantal or quantitative, direct or indirect.^[3] If the measured response is binary, the assay is quantal; if not, it is quantitative.^[3]

A bioassay may be used to detect biological hazards or to give an assessment of the quality of a mixture.^[4] A bioassay is often used to monitor water quality as well as wastewater discharges and its impact on the surroundings.^[5] It is also used to assess the environmental impact and safety of new technologies and facilities.^{[citation needed]}

Bioassays are essential in pharmaceutical, medical and agricultural sciences for development and launching of new drugs, vitamins, etc.

^ Hoskins, W. M.; Craig, R. (1962-01-01). "Uses of Bioassay in Entomology". Annual Review of Entomology. 7 (1): 437–464. doi:10.1146/annurev.en.07.010162.002253. ISSN 0066-4170. PMID 14449182.
^ "Guidance for Industry: Potency Tests for Cellular and Gene Therapy Products". Washington, D.C.: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. January 2011. p. 7.
^ ^a ^b Laska, E M; Meisner, M J (1987-04-01). "Statistical Methods and Applications of Bioassay". Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology. 27 (1): 385–397. doi:10.1146/annurev.pa.27.040187.002125. ISSN 0362-1642. PMID 3579242.
^ Prinsloo, Gerhard; Papadi, Georgia; Hiben, Mebrahtom G.; Haan, Laura de; Louisse, Jochem; Beekmann, Karsten; Vervoort, Jacques; Rietjens, Ivonne M.C.M. (2017). "In vitro bioassays to evaluate beneficial and adverse health effects of botanicals: promises and pitfalls". Drug Discovery Today. 22 (8): 1187–1200. doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2017.05.002. PMID 28533190.
^ "Permit Limits-Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET)". National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2021-10-11.

[Hoskins_437–464-1] Hoskins, W. M.; Craig, R. (1962-01-01). "Uses of Bioassay in Entomology". Annual Review of Entomology. 7 (1): 437–464. doi:10.1146/annurev.en.07.010162.002253. ISSN 0066-4170. PMID 14449182.

[FDA_2011-2] "Guidance for Industry: Potency Tests for Cellular and Gene Therapy Products". Washington, D.C.: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. January 2011. p. 7.

[:0-3] Laska, E M; Meisner, M J (1987-04-01). "Statistical Methods and Applications of Bioassay". Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology. 27 (1): 385–397. doi:10.1146/annurev.pa.27.040187.002125. ISSN 0362-1642. PMID 3579242.

[4] Prinsloo, Gerhard; Papadi, Georgia; Hiben, Mebrahtom G.; Haan, Laura de; Louisse, Jochem; Beekmann, Karsten; Vervoort, Jacques; Rietjens, Ivonne M.C.M. (2017). "In vitro bioassays to evaluate beneficial and adverse health effects of botanicals: promises and pitfalls". Drug Discovery Today. 22 (8): 1187–1200. doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2017.05.002. PMID 28533190.

[WET-NPDES-5] "Permit Limits-Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET)". National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2021-10-11.

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