Two
workers are splashed with pesticide. One suffers headaches and
nausea; the other suffers no symptoms. Both are exposed equally
to the same toxic substance, yet have very different responses.
Why do they react differently? One of the answers may be in their
genes. Variations, or differences, in genetic make-up can affect
how people react to toxic substances and pollutants in the environment.
Scientists at the Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health
(CEEH) at the University of Washington study how genetic variations,
when combined with exposures to environmental chemicals, affect
human health. This discipline is called ecogenetics.
Preventing
Health Problems
The CEEH's basic research eventually may lead to diagnostic tests and prevention
measures for a variety of health problems, including liver cancer, pesticide-induced
illness, and Parkinson's disease. Much of this research focuses on human enzymes.
Enzymes break large molecules into smaller, simpler forms that our cells can
use or discard. Most enzymes handle essential day-to-day tasks, such as converting
sugar and oxygen to energy. However, some enzymes, named biotransformation
enzymes, specialize in protecting our bodies from chemicals in the environment.
Biotransformation enzymes are of special interest to researchers. Each of us
is born with a slightly different set of biotransformation enzymes, so the
way we react to chemicals in the environment varies, resulting in different
reactions to the same toxic substances.
The
CEEH assists a diverse group of scientists to work together to
achieve broader insights in environmental/genetic research. CEEH
investigators work in six core research areas:
Gastrointestinal
and Renal Toxicology
CEEH scientists study enzymes that biotransform chemicals foreign
to the human body, such as prescription drugs and environmental
pollutants. These foreign chemicals may be human-made substances,
like pesticides, or natural toxic products, such as poisons produced
by plants and molds. Basic research into biotransformation may
help medical researchers find better ways to adjust medicine dosages
to the needs of individual patients. Biotransformation research
may also lead to the development of diagnostic tests for sensitivities
to drugs and environmental pollutants. Much of the body's biotransformation
work takes place in the digestive system and kidneys, hence the
name of this group, Gastrointestinal, for the stomach and intestines,
and Renal, for kidney.
Carcinogenesis
Carcinogens are substances that cause cancer. The term carcinogenesis
describes the ways carcinogens trigger and encourage cancerous,
or uncontrolled, growth in cells. CEEH researchers study carcinogens
found in the environment, workplaces, and our diets, and genetic
variations in the ways our bodies protect themselves against carcinogens.
Reproductive
and Developmental Toxicology
Physicians can determine the cause of only about half of the
approximately 250,000 birth defects reported in the U.S. each year.
Even less is known about the reasons for infertility, which affects
about two million American couples. CEEH researchers study a variety
of chemicals linked to infertility and birth defects, including
lead, methylmercury, and solvents such as toluene. Newborns are
often susceptible to very small doses of toxic substances, in part
because they may not produce some crucial biotransformation enzymes
until weeks after birth. CEEH researchers are determining when
babies begin to make enzymes that can detoxify ethanol and other
substances known to cause birth defects.
Neurotoxicology
Neurotoxicants are toxic substances that can damage the brain and nervous system.
Known and suspected neurotoxicants include heavy metals (such as lead),
pesticides, solvents, and high doses of certain recreational and medical
drugs. CEEH researchers study the ways that cells defend themselves against
neurotoxicants, how such defense systems vary from person to person, and
how these genetic differences may affect susceptibility to nervous system
disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease).
Cardiovascular
and Respiratory Toxicology
Certain genetic variations may make some people with asthma more likely to
develop breathing difficulties if exposed to air pollutants such as ozone (the
main component of smog), sulfur dioxide, or particulate matter (tiny particles,
such as soot from wood smoke, that can be inhaled deep into the lungs). In
addition to studying the relationship between air pollution and genetic susceptibility
to asthma, researchers are also investigating links between air pollution and
the risk of cardiac diseases, such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
and hypertension (high blood pressure). Researchers also analyze air pollution
in the workplace, especially the effects of easily inhaled solvents like toluene.
Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues
Research on susceptibility genes has tremendous potential to prevent disease.
However, as genetic information becomes more widely available, it's important
to consider how such information could be used, and who will have access to
it. The investigators in the Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues Core include
experts in law, ethics, public policy who study the ethical, legal, and social
implications of genetic research including genetic testing, and databases of
genetic information.
Community
Outreach and Education
The Community Outreach and Education Program (COEP) works to make CEEH research
meaningful and useful to the community. The program focuses on translating
research findings for use by teachers, regulators, health practitioners, and
the general public in the Pacific Northwest. COEP staff provide programs for
K-12 teachers, consult with community groups, and coordinate research collaborations
involving the University of Washington and community groups.
Center
for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health
4225 Roosevelt Way NE #100, Seattle, WA 98105-6099
Phone (206) 543-4383, FAX (206) 685-4696
http://depts.washington.edu/ceeh/
Funded
by NIEHS grant no. P30 ES07033.
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