Characterization of Biomolecular Response to Environmental Stress

来自汽车催化转化器的铂族元素在路边土壤、植物和空气中有所增加。然而，关于铂族元素的毒性机制及其对生物的影响，目前还知之甚少。在国家科学基金会的支持下，德克萨斯南方大学将启动一项整合系统生物学、基因组学、蛋白质组学和生物信息学方法的研究计划，以开发能够表征真核细胞的应激反应的计算机模型，并了解环境毒物如何影响肠道微生物区系的细菌成员。该项目将雇用一个多学科团队来教育研究生、本科生和正在崛起的高中生，扩大和加强现有的环境毒理学博士课程，促进初级教师的专业发展，并增强机构的研究基础设施。智力优势：拟议的活动将有助于了解环境中暴露于铂族元素和钒以及相关的生物分子效应和潜在的健康风险。将利用分子生物学、纳米技术和计算机模拟方面的一系列新技术和创新方法来评估对PATIN族元素和钒的暴露，并研究真核细胞和肠道微生物区系中的环境应激反应。拟议的研究将(1)评估纳米大气颗粒物中铂族元素和钒的暴露及其相关的健康风险，(2)研究铂族元素和钒对人肺上皮细胞转录因子、MAP激酶和促炎细胞因子的影响，并使用计算机模型预测真核细胞中对铂族元素的各种反应。以及(3)表征铂族元素和钒对肠道微生物区系中具有代表性的原核生物成员的暴露，并开发一种用于人类疾病的微生物生物传感器。广泛影响：这项研究的结果将被用于开发所涉及的生物分子途径的预测计算机模型和先进的潜在风险预测工具，这些工具可以帮助环境质量管理人员在制定更有效的管理策略时做出明智的决策。此外，通过研究微生物和真核细胞中常见的受影响途径，可以开发简单的生物传感器来评估这些污染物对人类的影响。该项目将教育和研究工作结合起来，通过加强和扩大现有的环境毒理学博士课程，培养科学、技术、工程和数学相关领域的高素质博士科学家。通过在环境生物学、生物材料科学、生物工程和合成生物学等新兴领域培养非裔美国人和其他少数民族本科生和研究生，该机构将继续增加有充分准备的少数民族专业人员从事研究、教学和管理，并发展STEM劳动力。项目活动将加强该机构的研究基础设施，促进科学界的创新伙伴关系，加强基础生物学研究、技术开发/转让和商业化。

Platinum group elements derived from automobile catalytic converters have increased in roadside soil, plants, and air. However, little is known about the mechanism of platinum group elements toxicity and its impact on living organisms. With National Science Foundation support, Texas Southern University will initiate a research program that integrates systems biology, genomics, proteomics, and bio-informatics approaches to develop computer models capable of characterizing stress responses in eukaryotic cells as well as understand how environmental toxicants impact bacterial members of the gut microbiota. The project will employ a multidisciplinary team to educate graduate, undergraduate, and rising high school students, expand and strengthen the existing Ph.D. program in Environmental Toxicology, facilitate the professional development of junior faculty, and enhance the institution's research infrastructure.Intellectual Merit: The proposed activity will contribute to the current knowledge of environmental exposure to patinum group elements and vanadium and associated biomolecular effects and potential health risks. An array of new technologies and innovative approaches in molecular biology, nanotechnology, and computer modeling will be employed to assess exposure to patinum group elements and vanadium, and study environmental stress responses in eukaryotic cells and gut microbiota. The proposed research will (1) assess the exposure to platinum group elements and vanadium in nano-size atmospheric particulate matter and associated health risk, (2) examine the effect of platinum group elements and vanadium on transcription factors, MAP kinases and pro-inflammatory cytokines in human lung epithelial cells and use computer models to predict the pathways and characterize various responses to platinum group elements in eukaryotic cells, and (3) characterize platinum group elements and vanadium exposure to representative prokaryotic members of the gut microbiota and develop a microbial biosensor for human disease.Broader Impacts:The results of this investigation will be employed to develop predictive computer models for biomolecular pathways involved and advanced potential risk prediction tools that can help environmental quality managers make informed decisions in developing more efficient management strategies. In addition, by examining common affected pathways in microbes and eukaryotic cells, simple biological biosensors may be developed for the assessment of the effects of these pollutants on humans. The project combines education and research efforts to prepare high-caliber doctoral scientists in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related fields by strengthening and expanding the existing Ph.D. program in Environmental Toxicology. By training African-American and other minority undergraduate and graduate students in emerging areas of environmental biology, biomaterials science, bio-engineering, and synthetic biology, the institution will continue to increase the numbers of well-prepared minority professionals engaged in research, teaching, and management, and develop the STEM workforce. Project activities will strengthen the institution's research infrastructure and promote innovative partnerships within scientific communities, enhance basic biology research, technology development/transfers and commercialization.