Sidney Hunter
Mechanisms of toxocant-induced craniofacial birth defects
Institution: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Email: hunter.sid@epa.gov
Our research focuses on determining the mechanisms responsible for craniofacial birth defects. We use the whole embryo culture system to expose mouse conceptuses to toxicants and evaluate morphological, molecular (Affy arrays) and protein changes. Antisense morpholinos and adenoviruses are used to modulate gene expression and determine phenotypic effects. We are using embryonic stem cells as a model to evaluate the effects of environmental chemicals on differentiation. Using molecular markers to identify differentiation may provide critical information to identify developmental toxicants.