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Superfund Basic Research Program
Ms. Li’s dissertation project focuses on characterization of the gene products of CPOX and CPOX4 in terms of kinetics of substrate utilization, susceptibility to inhibition by mercury, affects on mercury toxicokinetics, and ability to modify heme biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo. Ms. Li’s research is of substantial public importance given the relatively high frequency of this CPOX4 variant genotype (28% +/-, 2% -/-) within the general human population, and the extensive presence of mercury in its various forms in the environment. Of particular concern in this respect are highly susceptible segments of the population such as children and the elderly, for whom Ms. Li’s research findings may have particular importance in terms of risk assessment and risk prevention. As of February 2008, Ms. Li has completed her academic course requirements for the Ph.D. degree and has completed her general exam. She expects to graduate in 2009. While undertaking these research and academic accomplishments, Ms. Li has contributed to the following publications: Echeverria D, Woods JS, Heyer NJ, Rohlman D, Farin FM, Li T, Garabedian CE. Klintworth H, Newhouse K, Li T, Choi WS, Faigle R, Xia Z. Activation of  |
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Ms. Tingting Li is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Toxicology Program, at the University of Washington in Seattle. Since 2004, she has worked in the laboratory of Dr. James Woods investigating the potential health consequences of a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 4 of the gene encoding the heme pathway enzyme, coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPOX). This polymorphism, known as CPOX4, has been shown to modify the effects of mercury exposure on neurobehavioral functions in humans and also elicits a highly specific change in the urinary porphyrin excretion pattern that serves as a biomarker of this effect. 
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