Project Summary (1995-2000)

The aims of this project are to: (1) assess the toxicity of environmental contaminants, before and after remediation, using an in vitro assay of the ability of cells to communicate with each other through gap junctions; (2) modify remediation systems that use ozone and/or Fenton's reagent to minimize toxicity of the products; and (3) to delineate the biochemical mechanisms by which non-genotoxic chemicals might affect gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). The working hypothesis is that GJIC is necessary for control of proliferation, differentiation and adaptive responses of cells.