Research Areas

The focus of the research component of this training program is mechanistic cellular biology and toxicology that addresses critical current questions in the field with state of the sciences molecular and biochemical approaches.

Neurotoxicology | Genetic Tox | Developmental Tox | Environmental Tox | Pulmonary Tox

View Neurotoxicology Faculty | Top

The theme for neurotoxicology research among investigators in the ITEHP is to determine the neurochemical and molecular bases of neurobehavioral impairments which result from toxicant exposure during development and persisting effects in adulthood. Complementary biological models including nematodes, fish (zebrafish, medaka and fundulus) and rodents (rats and mice) are being used to not only determine the specific mechanisms for individual toxicant effects but also to help understand which neural processes vulnerable to toxicant impacts.

View Genetic Faculty | Top

The theme for genetic toxicology research among investigators in the ITEHP is to determine those genetic (e.g. single nucleotide polymorphisms) and epigenetic (e.g. DNA methylation) events that either cause or prevent adverse responses in organisms when exposed to environmental agents. Both bioinformatic and laboratory based experimental approaches are used to identify the genomic and epigenomic origins of environmentally induced toxicological responses. Ongoing gene expression profiling is also being used to understand the effect of environmental stressors on human and environmental health. This is being accomplished through the use of complementary biological systems (humans, mice, zebrafish, and nematodes) to investigate the role of genetic susceptibility in the response to specific types of environmental stress (bacteria, malnutrition, and chemical toxicants).

View Developmental Faculty | Top

New gene expression programs, in addition to programs used in the adult, play pivotal roles in the development of a normal organism from embryo to adulthood. Developing organisms are not just "smaller adults" so there can be unique sensitivities to toxicants, environmental contaminants, and even pharmaceuticals. Therefore, the ITEHP has arrayed many approaches towards understanding how a changing, growing organism will respond to environmental and toxicant challenge. Because of the variety of experimental models being used, there is considerable discussion of how a toxicant interaction in one organism may provide insight into understanding a similar interaction in another.

View Environmental Faculty | Top

Environmental Toxicology is comprised by the study of the effects of chemicals released into the environment on human health and ecosystem integrity. In the ITEHP, research is focused on mechanisms of toxicity, using a variety of animal models, and employing state of the art molecular, biochemical and pathobiological tools.

View Pulmonary Faculty | Top

Pulmonary toxicology research in the ITEHP focuses on the health and physiologic effects of environmental air pollutants on lung function and lung disease. Both acute and chronic models of lung disease are being evaluated with a focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in these pathophysiologic processes. Reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species intermediates, the contribution of fine particulates, the role of free metals, environmental tobacco smoke, and airway inflammation are all areas of particular interest to ITEHP faculty.