Biotransformation of environmental contaminants in biota

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Canadians are concerned about the environment and about the effects of chemical contaminants on humans and wildlife. My research program is in the area of environmental toxicology and focuses on the biotransformation, fate and toxicology of chemical contaminants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides and endocrine disruptors. Many of these contaminants are persistent, accumulate in food chains and are routinely detected in tissues from humans and wildlife. Adverse effects produced by these contaminants include liver toxicity, immune suppression, neuro-behavioural disturbances and endocrine alterations. The main route for the metabolism (i.e. biotransformation) and elimination of these chemicals in animals starts with hydroxylation reactions. Hydroxylation reactions occur in the liver and are catalyzed by a family of enzymes called the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Thus, CYP enzymes catalyze the initial critical step in the biotransformation of chemical contaminants.