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Record Count: 5
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header (Title, Principal Investigator, Institution, City, ST, Award Code, or
Pubs).
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In meiosis chromosomes replicate once, then undergo two rounds of segregation to generate haploid meiotic products. The aberrant segregation of chromosomes during meiosis generates products that are aneuploid (have an incorrect number of chromosomes). In humans, meiotic aneuploidy is the leading cause of pregnancy loss, congenital birth defects, and mental retardation. Exposure to environmental agents (pollutants, pesticides, hormone mimetics, etc.) is implicated as a risk factor. However, it is difficult to gauge significant effects in humans and there are no good models for large-scale screening. The goal of this project is to develop and validate a system for high-throughput screening (HTS) of chemical libraries to identify those that cause meiotic aneuploidy (meiotic aneugens). The system is based on the unique biology of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, in which meiosis can be induced in a synchronous fashion and in which meiotic chromosome mis-segregation can be monitored directly. Selectable markers will be configured to allow quantitative analysis of the frequency of meiotic aneuploidy following exposure to chemical agents. Additional features will be incorporated into the system for secondary screening and to permit identification of specific molecular mechanisms by which any given chemical affects meiosis. The system will be validated and calibrated by using mutations that affect meiotic sister chromatid cohesion (e.g., rec8) and meiotic recombination (e.g., rec12), and by testing chemicals known to cause meiotic errors (e.g., bisphenol A, diethanolamine, etc.). Upon validation, the systems will be made available to a molecular libraries screening center network site (NIH Roadmap initiative, RFA-RM-04-017) for HTS screening of potential meiotic aneugens.
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In this Phase II project, BlueInGreen, LLC will build a hypersaturated dissolved ozone (HYDOZTM) unit to deploy in a large pilot-scale study at Springdale Wastewater Treatment Facility (SWWTF) in Springdale, Arkansas. Furthermore, BlueInGreen will collaborate with the University of Arkansas to measure the ability of HYDOZ ozonation to remove refractory microbes and stable chemical contaminants from wastewater effluent in both lab-scale and pilot- scale studies. Phase I results demonstrated the increased efficiency and effectiveness of HYDOZ ozone treatment at bench scale compared to conventional ozonation systems. Phase II research will focus on stable contaminants and refractory microbes that are not removed from wastewater using standard chlorine-based disinfection. We will show that the use of the HYDOZ to treat wastewater at centralized wastewater treatment facilities is a viable method economically and technologically to prevent the release of pharmaceutical residuals and resistant microbes to the environment. This project directly addresses the mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to reduce the burden of human disease and dysfunction from the environment and will demonstrate both the efficacy and efficiency of HYDOZ ozonation of wastewater effluent. The specific Phase II objectives are: " Objective 1: Compare cost and efficacy of the HYDOZ to standard disinfection/decontamination technology (BlueInGreen). Milestone 1: The capitol and operating cost of HYDOZ systems is superior to chlorine-based disinfection systems, and based on standard effluent quality parameters, the HYDOZ systems are superior to chlorine-based disinfection systems for treatment of wastewater effluent. " Objective 2: Study HYDOZ destruction of a range of chemical contaminants in wastewater effluent (BlueInGreen). Milestone 2: The HYDOZ ozonation systems will cause a minimum 90% reduction in concentration of at least six chemical contaminants from wastewater effluent. " Objective 3: Study HYDOZ destruction of plasmids and refractory microbes in wastewater effluent (University of Arkansas). Milestone 3: The HYDOZ ozonation systems will cause a minimum 90% reduction in concentration of plasmids and refractory microbes from wastewater effluent.
PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The goal of this project is to use the hypersaturated dissolved ozone (HYDOZTM) system to remove stable chemical/pharmaceutical residuals and refractory microbes from wastewater. Successful reduction of the occurrence of these contaminants in the aqueous environment will reduce long-term impacts on ecosystems and humans, and reduce the spread of antibiotic resistant microbes. The widespread use of this device will significantly contribute to the reduction of antibiotic resistant pathogens in the human ecosystem and help maintain the efficacy of medically important antibiotics.
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a reagentless biosensor for online monitoring of microbial contaminants in drinking water. The biosensor is based on incorporating several newly emerging technologies into BioDetection Instruments' proprietary sensing platform. A novel monolithic column will be developed that encapsulates a unique sensing material that can specifically and directly detect an indicator bacterium with no need for the addition of any reagents. The monolithic column will be characterized by a hierarchical pore structure, high surface area, small diffusion path length, and low hydraulic resistance, which are favorable for streamlining the detection efficacy. Online monitoring of microbial contamination will be realized simply by pumping or injecting the water sample through the monolithic biosensing column along with on-column optical detection. In Phase II, the research will be extended to develop a multichannel biosensor system for online monitoring of multiple waterborne pathogens. The CDC reports that each year, 4 billion episodes of diarrhea result in an estimated 2 million deaths, and waterborne bacterial infections may account for as many as half of these episodes and deaths. The prevention of disease outbreaks relies on timely and efficient detection of disease-causing microorganisms. However, the detection of bacterial contaminants in drinking water still relies on cell growth-based methods, which are extremely time-consuming, typically requiring at least 24 hours and complicated multi-steps to confirm the analysis. Even current rapid methods such as ELISA and PCR still require enrichment of samples for 8-24 hours and take several hours to get only qualitative (positive/negative) results. Part of the challenge that faces both regulatory agencies and water plants, charged with protecting public health, is to find better, cost- effective, faster technologies for rapid detection of waterborne pathogens. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed product will provide a reagentless assay for online monitoring of microbial contaminants in drinking water. Drinking water treatment facilities, bottled water and beverage manufacturers, as well as private well owners will benefit from the development of the proposed system. Using the proposed product, they will be able to monitor their water sources for microbial contaminations and promptly take corrective measures.
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop an innovative biochip for rapid screening of pesticide residues in water and food samples. The proposed biochip will be built on BioDetection Instruments' exclusively-licensed patented technology and previous work on biosensors that are based on microfluidics, interdigitated microelectrodes (IMEs), and the electrochemical measurement of an indicator of microorganisms' physiological activity. An inexpensive and robust biomaterial that can sense the relevant bioactivity/toxicity of a class of widely-used pesticides will be immobilized onto the surface of an IME. A cover will be attached to the modified IME with a microfluidic channel exposed to the IME. Physiological activity of the immobilized organism will be monitored in the absence and presence of atrazine, a model pesticide, by electrochemical measurement of the indicator, and the IME signal intensity is expected to be related to the pesticide concentration. One of the primary Phase I goals is to prove the concept by demonstrating the detection of atrazine in less than 10 min with a detection limit of = 1 ppb (= 5 nM). The biochip will have the combined advantages of the biomaterial, microfluidics, and IME measurement such as low cost, high sensitivity, rapid speed, etc.. Contamination of water and food by pesticides and the potential hazard to human health remain major concerns of our society. Current pesticide detection methods such as HPLC, GC, and rapid test kits require sophisticated instruments, skilled personnel, extensive sample pretreatment, expensive bioreagents and/or intensive manual operations, and thus are unsuitable for on-site or routine screenings. Part of the challenge that faces the regulatory agencies and industries is to find better technologies for the rapid detection of low-level pesticide residues.
Public Health Relevance: The proposed biochip technology will be a rapid and inexpensive method to screen drinking water, beverages, and food products on-site or on-line for the presence of pesticide residues. Using a network of screening tests followed by confirmatory analysis will assure both producers and consumers that these products are free of dangerous levels of pesticide residues and will enhance the protection and safety of the nation's water and food supply.
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant)
The Twenty-Fifth International Neurotoxicology Conference (NEUROTOX 25) addressing the theme of "Environmental Etiologies of Neurological Disorders: Scientific, Translational and Policy Implications" will be held October 12-16, 2008 in Rochester, New York. The meeting locations are the Hyatt Regency Conference Center and the University of Rochester Medical Center located nearby. The International Neurotoxicology Conference is an annual event that focuses on a timely theme while providing an opportunity for presenting new data related to the general interdisciplinary field of neurotoxicology. The International Neurotoxicology Conference Series will reach its silver anniversary in 2008, with its 25th meeting. The Specific Aims identified in the proposal will be accomplished by organizing and conducting a 4 1/2 day conference according to a varied format similar to previous conferences in this series which has proven to be highly successful. Each conference has its own "special touch" and consists of Tutorials, Symposia, Workshops, Panel Discussions, Roundtables, Debates, Poster Session, Pre- and Postdoctoral Student Competition and Awards and social events as well as novel approaches to facilitate networking and mentoring. NEUROTOX 25 will not be simply an occasion to present data. It will also coalesce human, experimental animal, methodological, and epidemiological research, as well as risk assessment, social and policy implications, by offering a well-recognized venue where previously unconnected investigators can come together and where commonalties can emerge. Traditionally the Neurotoxicology Conference places special emphasis on nurturing, promoting and rewarding pre- and post-doctoral students and young investigators. Extra effort is extended to mentor students and help them network with the leaders in the field. The health relatedness of this application is that the results of this conference will contribute to a fuller understanding of the true risk posed by environmental toxicants for human neurological diseases or disorders. It has become evident that many human neurological diseases arise from complex interactions of multiple risk factors, of which environmental chemical exposures may serve as one contributing risk. Other environmental and host factors, such as genetic background, stage of development, dietary status, immune status, obesity, stress, socioeconomic status, gender, aging, behavior, and intercurrent disease state, as well as simultaneous chemical exposures, can also contribute. Science, policy, and translation can no longer be treated as independent entities. NEUROTOXICOLOGY 25 is poised to view and address them as they truly are: a multidimensional interdisciplinary problem.
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