Leveraging Multi-Omics Technologies for Studying the Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals on Thyroid In Vitro Models

The work presented in this doctoral research was funded by SCREENED, a European Union initiative, with the objective of studying the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on thyroid function. Traditional tests relying on animal models fail to fully capture the diverse ways EDCs affect the thyroid. This study aimed to address this gap by developing innovative in vitro models of the thyroid. Utilizing cutting-edge techniques such as bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing, as well as proteomics, this thesis investigated the effects of EDC exposure on thyroid cells. Our findings revealed significant alterations in cellular pathways: for example, certain compounds called phthalates, contained in everyday products made of plastic like food boxes and medical devices, can impact fatty acid metabolism and signalling processes. Notably, we identified potential biomarkers and developed machine learning models to classify EDC exposure classes accurately. Our work highlights the potential of in vitro models in toxicology research, paving the way for more efficient and ethical methods of assessing EDCs' impact on thyroid health. Through collaboration and innovation, SCREENED lays the groundwork for advancing endocrine disruption testing without reliance on animal experimentation.