Concentration–response concept in ecotoxicoproteomics: Effects of different phenanthrene concentrations to the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo proteome

Concentration–response experiments, based on the testing of less replicates in favour of more exposure concentrations, represent the typical design of choice applied in toxicological and ecotoxicological effect assessment studies using traditional endpoints such as lethality. However, to our knowledge this concept has not found implementation in the increasingly applied OMICS techniques studying thousands of molecular endpoints at the same time. The present study is among the first applying the concentration–response concept for an ecotoxicoproteomics study. The effects of six different concentrations in the low effect range (

► We tested the applicability of the concentration–response concept in ecotoxicoproteomics.
► The approach implies testing of less replicates in favour of more exposure concentrations.
► An increased output compared to traditional ecotoxicoproteomics studies was shown.
► This included the ability to model concentration specific dynamics of molecular endpoints.
► Information about sensitivity of protein reaction and benchmark concentrations can be obtained.