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April 15 , 2006 Through a newly funded project under the UNC Superfund Basic Research Program, CCGS faculty members Ivan Rusyn (Environmental Sciences & Engineering) and David Threadgill (Genetics) will study the role of genetics on liver and kidney toxicity from exposure to tricholorethylene (TCE), a chemical found in many commonly used products. It is clear that genetics plays a significant role in the metabolism and health outcomes of individuals exposed to such environmental toxins, but determining exactly which genetic variations are linked to resistance or sensitivity has been difficult to identify. Even in genetically tractable models such as mice or rats, this type of research has traditionally relied on a single laboratory strain, which cannot reproduce the genetic diversity of responses that are known to exist in human populations. Taking advantage of new genome sequence information and advances in genomic tools, Drs. Rusyn and Threadgill plan to use a panel of 16 different inbred mouse strains for which genome sequence is now available, to tackle the issue of genetic diversity head-on. The team hopes to develop a new strategy for testing chemical safety that incorporates information about individual variation. They have already conducted similar studies using acetominophen (Tylenol) and alcohol, and have found tremendous variability in responses to these chemicals. Ultimately, it may be possible to analyze an individual’s genotype and predict the impact of specific chemicals or drugs on his/her health. This information has the potential to influence both environmental policy and the practice of medicine. |
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