Information Brochure (pdf) - Physiology and Neurobiology ...
Information Brochure (pdf) - Physiology and Neurobiology ...
Information Brochure (pdf) - Physiology and Neurobiology ...
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Joseph F. Crivello<br />
marine toxicology <strong>and</strong> genetics<br />
The goal of my research program is to deepen our<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing of how marine organisms protect<br />
themselves against the deleterious effects of anthropogenic<br />
pollutants. Pollutants (or xenobiotics) can<br />
have varied deleterious effects that depend on physical<br />
(such as bioavailability), chemical, biological <strong>and</strong><br />
genetic factors. I focus my attention on the biochemical<br />
<strong>and</strong> genetic effects of pollutants in marine vertebrates<br />
<strong>and</strong> invertebrates. Part of my focus is on the protective<br />
role of metallothionein gene expression as a function<br />
of exposure to heavy metals (such as cadmium,<br />
arsenic <strong>and</strong> zinc). I have examined the nonbiotic <strong>and</strong><br />
biotic factors that affect metallothionein gene expression<br />
in winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) <strong>and</strong><br />
the common mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). We<br />
have compared the expression of metallothionein<br />
mRNA <strong>and</strong> protein as indicators of heavy metal exposure<br />
<strong>and</strong> use as biomonitors of marine metal pollution.<br />
We have cloned fragments of the metallothionein<br />
cDNA from mummichogs <strong>and</strong> have developed QPCR<br />
(quantitative polymerase chain reaction) technologies<br />
for analysis of mRNA changes. We are continuing our<br />
examination of the role of metallothionein in additional<br />
organisms <strong>and</strong> at the level of gene expression.<br />
I am also interested in the role of cytochrome<br />
P450-mediated metabolism of xenobiotics in marine<br />
vertebrates. Cytochrome P450s are a family of hemecontaining<br />
monoxygenases involved in anabolic <strong>and</strong><br />
catabolic reactions of natural products (such as steroids)<br />
as well as metabolism of pollutants to less toxic,<br />
water-soluble forms. I am interested in two isozymes<br />
of the P450 superfamily, CYP 1A1 <strong>and</strong> CYP 2E1,<br />
which are responsible for the metabolism of polycyclic<br />
aromatic hydrocarbons <strong>and</strong> small volatile organic<br />
molecules, respectively. We have cloned cDNA for<br />
these enzymes <strong>and</strong> are in the process of cloning the<br />
genes for both isozymes from winter flounder. We<br />
have looked at the expression of these activities as