Department: Biochemistry and the National Food Safety & Toxicology
Center

Telephone: 5-1607

E-mail: tzachare@pilot.msu.edu


Title: Toxicogenomics


Abstract:


Toxicogenomics is an emerging discipline that integrates the awesome
potential of bioinfomatics and genomics with toxicology to assess and
elucidate the mechanisms of action of potential drug candidates as well
as known and suspected toxicants.  Microarrays, the premier tool
developed as a result of the various genome projects, provides a method
to monitor the totality of gene behavior within a specific cell or
tissue.  Research in my laboratory is focused on examining the
mechanisms of xenobiotic-induced alterations in gene expression and how
this contributes to the etiology of the observed adverse effect.  More
specifically, we are interested in using microarray technology to
identify diagnostic fingers of exposure to specific toxicants and to
elucidate the mechanisms of toxicity.

Current studies, in collaboration with Drs. Karen Chou and Peter Saama
(Department of Animal Science) are examining the effects of gestational
and lactational exposure to estrogenic chemicals on spermatogenesis and
testicular gene expression in mice.  The goal of this project is
identify associations between physiological effects and alterations in
gene expression profiles.  This project involves a torturous amount of
data mining between seemingly immiscible databases in order to develop
a mouse specific testis array.  In collaboration with Dr. Peter Saama,
we are also exploring the use of a general linear model to pool
replicate array data sets in order to identify statistically
significant changes in gene expression.  Cluster analysis will
subsequently be used to determine if gene expression "signatures" exist
that could be used for diagnostic and mechanistic purposes.


Tim Zacharewski, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Michigan State University
Department of Biochemistry
Biochemistry Building
Wilson Road
East Lansing,  Michigan  48824-1319
USA
Office Tel: (517) 355-1607
Lab Tel: (517) 353-1944
Departmental Fax: (517) 353-9334
Messages: (517) 355-1600
e-mail: tzachare@pilot.msu.edu
http://www.bch.msu.edu