Toxicology and Environmental Health Group

RESEARCH SUMMARY

The group is focused on the study of molecular mechanisms of toxicity and identification of adverse effect pathways of various xenobiotics, from nanoparticles to organophosphorus compounds such as pesticides, flame retardants. The group is also active in regulatory toxicology and in the preparation of risk assessment reports on exposure to various chemicals for human health and the environment. 

RESEARCH LINES

Line 1: Study of the molecular mechanisms of toxicity of various types of xenobiotics

Cellular and molecular alterations caused by xenobiotics that represent key events in the triggering of toxic responses of the target systems of these xenobiotics are studied. Molecular biology, biochemical and omics techniques are used.

Titanium oxide nanoparticles inside a T98G human glioblastoma cell.

Line 2: Development of alternative methods to animal experimentation for the evaluation of neurotoxicity and embryonic developmental toxicity of xenobiotics.

Molecular markers of xenobiotic exposure effects are identified in cell cultures of nerve cells and embryonic stem cells. These biomarkers are used to develop methods to predict the adverse effects of xenobiotics.

Schematic of an alternative procedure to animal experimentation to predict the embryotoxic potential of xenobiotics. Taken from Romero et al., Toxicology Letters 2015; 238:60-69.

Línea 3: Identification of novel molecular targets of organophosphate toxicity

Identification of carboxylesterases susceptible to be new targets of neurotoxicity of organophosphorus compounds in birds and mammals. Proteomic and biochemical techniques are used.

Schematic of the procedure used in the identification of neurotoxicity targets in birds.

Line 4: Molecular mechanisms of interaction of substrates and inhibitors with cholinesterases

The molecular mechanisms of the interaction of various substrates and inhibitors with cholinesterases are studied, especially with acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for regulating the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Schematic of the spontaneous reactivation assay of acetylcholinesterase activities after inhibition with paraoxon.