Institution:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
About:
We focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which environmental pollutants and non-chemical stressors cause diseases. The factors involved in host susceptibility variations and the role of neuroendocrine system are examined. The neuroendocrine stress response on developmental programming impacting offspring susceptibility to environmental diseases is also considered. The research approach involves the use of healthy and susceptible animal models of human diseases, pharmacological, metabolic and surgical interventions, and in vitro cultures. To understand multi organ effects of inhaled pollutants and disease susceptibility, we use combinational approaches, which include the assessment of systemic and neural mechanisms employing molecular and high throughput gene and protein expression techniques, metabolomics and target specific signaling studies. Health impact of inhaled pollutants are examined using a systems biology theme in support of adverse outcome pathways involving glucocorticoid and adrenergic mechanisms and the impact of chemical and non-chemical stressors. The goal is to further our understanding of the environmental contribution to chronic diseases and inform mitigation strategies.
