This
Program, now in its 22nd year, consists of eight
integrated research projects (five biomedical and three
non-biomedical), three research support cores, a
training core, a research translation core, and an
administrative core to address these problems. We are
determining the fate and transport of hazardous
materials in ground water, surface water, and air as
they move from toxic waste sites using classical and
innovative methodologies. We are examining the effect
of some of these materials using an epidemiological
approach. Concurrently, we are developing sensitive
systems for evaluating the exposure and effect of
populations to these materials. Immunochemical,
cell-based and other systems are being used to detect
biomarkers. Development of these biomarkers is based on
a fundamental understanding of the toxicological
processes involved. The project emphasizes multiple
organ systems with an in vivo emphasis on pulmonary and
reproductive effects. We also explore new technologies
for thermal and bioremediation of toxic waste and
address possible health risks associated with these
technologies. Rapid immunochemical and cell-based
analysis supplement classical technologies for the
evaluation of sites, validating models of transport from
these sites, as well as determining human
susceptibility, exposure and effect. Modern mass
spectral technology is being evaluated for monitoring
parent hazardous chemicals as well as biomarkers of
exposure and effect. We are expanding the use of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and integrated
bioinformatics technologies to discover new mechanisms
of action of hazardous materials and biomarkers for
their action.
The biomarkers developed in this project will serve as
biological dosimeters in epidemiological and ecological
studies in this and sister projects. The technologies
developed are tested at field sites and transferred to
end users through a research translation core.
