Tim Boogaerts postdoc researcher FWO

Research Tim Boogaerts

Research team

Expertise

Dr. Tim Boogaerts works as a post-doctoral researcher in the Toxicological Centre on the monitoring of human metabolites in influent wastewater. He has expertise in the field of analytical chemistry, development and validation of bioanalytical assays, environmental toxicologie and chemistry, and wastewater-based epidemiology.

Suspect screening and Target workflows using multi-dimensional chromatography and mass spectrometrY to investigate human eXposure to emerging contaminants by wastewater analysis (STYX). 01/10/2023 - 30/09/2026

Abstract

Extensive knowledge of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) which humans are exposed to is highly required. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) consists of the analysis of chemical markers for internal and external exposure in influent wastewater (IWW) and can be employed as a complementary approach to map the exposome in the general population. Due to the low concentration levels of CECs in IWW and the complexity of the matrix, there is a need for novel multidimensional chromatographic and high resolution mass-spectrometric approaches to accurately and precisely identify and quantify CECs in IWW. By applying novel analytical techniques (e.g., two-dimensional chromatography, ion-mobility mass spectrometry and high resolution mass spectrometry), the STYX project will acquire fundamental knowledge on various aspects related to human exposure to novel CECs using a WBE approach. Additionally, this project will unify and harmonize suspect screening and target analytical workflows for detection and identification of CECs and their metabolites in IWW to assess internal and external exposure to CECs in different communities. To achieve this, innovative sample preparation methods will be developed and validated to extract the CECs and metabolites from IWW and suspended particulate matter. Furthermore, systematic and comprehensive investigation of spatio-temporal trends will elucidate patterns of exposure to CECs and prioritize locations with a high burden of CEC exposure.

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

  • Research Project

Community-wide assessment of the opioid burden through combined use of wastewater-based analytics and prescription drug monitoring data. 01/01/2019 - 31/10/2019

Abstract

In recent times, the use of opioids has escalated drastically and resulted in a crisis of epidemic proportions in North America. In Europe, the use of opioids has also increased, but in smaller proportions compared to North America. However, the extent to which opioids are (mis)used in Europe needs to be further explored. In this project, we will optimise and develop a highthroughput bioanalytical assay based on μSPE-LC-MS/MS capable of measuring a broad range of biomarkers of opioids use in the ng/L range in wastewater. We aim at obtaining near real-time, objective and complementary information on the use of opioids at high spatio-temporal resolution through a wastewater sampling campaign in different locations in Belgium. By generating highly relevant data on the consumption of opioids together with triangulation of this data with other existing datasets (e.g. Farmanet, Health Interview Survey,...), this project can aid in obtaining a better picture on the opioid use in Belgium which is of importance for policy makers in optimizing and evaluating prevention, treatment and harm-reduction strategies on the subject of pain management. Furthermore, by combining multiple datasets, information on the illegal use of opioids can be obtained. In a last step, the obtained data will be correlated with existing socioeconomicco-variates of the investigated communities to obtain a better insight on the relationship between socio-demographic features, and prevalence of use of opioids.

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

  • Research Project