Legler, Juliette

Juliette Legler is a toxicologist with training in environmental sciences, aquatic ecotoxicology and molecular biology. She has been employed since 2001 by the IVM and was recently awarded an NWO-Veni grant to initiate research in toxicogenomics in (transgenic) zebrafish. In addition, her current research involves the application of in vitro bioassays to determine the effects of organohalogenated compounds on endocrine status (EU project COMPARE), as well as mixture toxicity of low concentrations of estrogenic compounds (EU project ACE). During her PhD research, two novel bioassays were developed as biomarkers of exposure to natural and xenobiotic estrogens in the environment. Firstly, the estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated chemical activated luciferase reporter gene expression (ER-CALUX) assay was developed by stable transfection of an ER-regulated luciferase reporter gene in the T47D breast cancer cell line. Secondly, a functional in vivo reporter gene assay using transgenic zebrafish was developed for the rapid determination of the effects of estrogenic chemicals on sensitive life stages and target tissues.
During post-doctoral research, the ability of the ER-CALUX assay to predict in vivo effects in the transgenic zebrafish was researched, as well as differences in ligand affinity between human and zebrafish ERs. Her research also included the determination of the biological relevance of the transgenic zebrafish model, by examining the relationship between reporter gene response by endocrine disrupting chemicals and effects on reproduction and gonad differentiation in zebrafish.