Multi-omics responses in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) nestlings from the Maumee Area of Concern, Maumee River, Ohio

A combined omics approach was utilized to identify altered biological responses and functions, and to prioritize contaminants to assess the risks of chemical mixtures in the Maumee Area of Concern (AOC), Maumee River, OH, USA. We evaluated transcriptomic and metabolomic responses and looked for potential correlations between contaminant exposures and biomolecular responses. We also attempted to isolate the dominant contaminants driving major transcriptomic and metabolomic responses. We aimed to improve approaches to create linkages between complex environmental contaminant mixtures and altered biomolecular responses, to serve as a tool in future ecotoxicological research and biomonitoring. Specifically, we investigated whether responses in genetic/metabolomic functions were related to local land-use, information which could be incorporated into an integrated risk assessment plan.