HOLIMITOX : scientific network for the integrated assessment of mitochondrial toxic pesticides
Pesticides that are toxic to mitochondria (known as “mitotoxic”) act by blocking cellular respiration. This property, used to eliminate certain fungi, mites or worms, makes them potentially toxic for all living beings, including humans.
Holimitox proposes an interdisciplinary approach to the evaluation of the main mitotoxic pesticides. This network involves sixteen laboratories and deals with public health, biodiversity and environmental issues. It examines the problem of the use of these pesticides in an integrative way (EcoHealth approach).
Our scientific approach
Holimitox is particularly interested in SDHI pesticides. SDHIs are inhibitors of succinate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in cellular respiration and present in the mitochondria of most living cells. The use of this family of pesticides has significantly increased in recent years.
The objectives of the network are:
- the co-production of scientific knowledge in all the concerned disciplines (chemistry, toxicology, ecotoxicology, biochemistry, medicine, epidemiology, agronomy, sociology, history, economics) ;
- making this knowledge available to refine regulatory assessments ;
- support for expertise, public policies and decision-making
Partners
