Institute of Ecological Science, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. nico.van.straalen@falw.vu.nl.
ABSTRACT: Transcription and metabolite analysis is a powerful way to reveal physiological shifts in response to environmental pollution. Recent studies on earthworms, including one in BMC Biology, show that the type of pollution and its availability for uptake by organisms can differentially affect transcription and metabolism.