Research Briefs: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Superfund Research Program

Elucidating Risks: From Exposure and Mechanism to Outcome

Center Director: Rebecca C. Fry
Grant Number: P42ES005948
Funding Period: 1992-2018

Program Links

Research Briefs

• 268 - Prenatal Arsenic Exposure Alters Newborn Metabolite Profiles -- Fry
  Release Date: 04/05/2017

  Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Superfund Research Program (UNC SRP) Center have identified metabolites in umbilical cord blood that are associated with exposure to arsenic in the womb. The findings also show that differences in a mother's metabolism of arsenic may influence the metabolite profile of her baby. Assessing changes in the newborn's metabolite profile by looking at the full range of metabolites, or metabolome, may provide insight into how prenatal arsenic exposure could affect important pathways responsible for maintaining normal cell processes in the body.

• 266 - Using Surfactants to Enhance Bioremediation of PAHs in Soil -- Aitken
  Release Date: 02/01/2017

  A second-stage treatment using low levels of surfactants, which are commonly used as dispersing agents, may be a promising method to maximize removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at hazardous waste sites, according to findings from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Superfund Research Program (UNC SRP) Center. Researchers identified specific surfactants that enhanced the removal of PAHs from previously treated soil by making the chemicals more accessible for degradation by bacteria.

• 258 - New Breakthrough in Understanding Gene Regulation -- Swenberg
  Release Date: 06/01/2016

  A team of researchers at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Superfund Research Program (UNC SRP) Center and Yale University developed a new method to study DNA modifications that led them to a paradigm-shifting discovery of a new mechanism of gene regulation in mouse cells. The new method and resulting discoveries are important breakthroughs that open new possibilities for understanding gene regulation in mice and humans, particularly during development.

• 233 - Investigating the Newborn Proteome: Prenatal Arsenic Exposure and Altered Protein Expression -- Fry
  Release Date: 05/07/2014

  Scientists have identified changes in biological pathways that are associated with prenatal arsenic exposure. This research, led by Rebecca Fry, Ph.D., at the University of North Carolina Superfund Research Program (UNC SRP), is the largest protein-based study of an arsenic pregnancy cohort to date. The NIEHS-funded work provides mechanistic insights into the links between early life exposure to arsenic and disease susceptibility and also identifies proteins and pathways that may later be used to identify markers of arsenic exposure and disease risk in humans.

• 221 - Novel Method Identifies Potential Key Pathway in Arsenic-Induced Birth Defects -- Fry
  Release Date: 05/01/2013

  Blocking the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) pathway in a chick embryo model prevents structural birth defects induced by arsenic, according to a 2013 NIEHS-funded study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Superfund Research Program (UNC SRP). The laboratory study was performed after computationally predicting the association between the GR pathway and metal-induced birth defects with a novel approach to identify targeted biological pathways.

• 201 - What a Difference a Methyl Group Makes -- Swenberg
  Release Date: 09/07/2011

  Some proteins can turn genes on or off, like a light switch, by adding or removing a methyl group. Scientists are uncovering how these switches are wired, offering new insights for research on stem cells and cancer.

• 172 - New Understandings of Benzene Metabolism and Implications for Risk Assessments -- Smith, Rappaport
  Release Date: 04/01/2009
  
  
• 170 - Biomarkers to Investigate the Toxicity and Carcinogenicity of PHAHs -- Swenberg
  Release Date: 02/04/2009
  
  
• 166 - Understanding Dermal Exposure - a Critical Step in Exposure Assessment -- Nylander-French
  Release Date: 10/01/2008
  
  
• 121 - Impacts of Low-Level Benzene Exposure -- Smith, Rappaport
  Release Date: 01/05/2005
  
  
• 117 - Analysis of PAHs in Air Samples Collected After the WTC Disaster and Estimation of Increase in Lifetime Cancer Risk -- Rappaport
  Release Date: 09/01/2004
  
  
• 96 - DNA Adducts as Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect -- Swenberg
  Release Date: 12/04/2002
  
  
• 86 - Development of a Biomarker of Exposure to Benzene -- Rappaport
  Release Date: 02/06/2002
  
  
• 85 - Enhancing Remediation of DNAPL-Contaminated Subsurface Systems -- Miller
  Release Date: 01/02/2002
  
  
• 20 - Use of Space/Time Analysis For Improved Exposure Assessment -- Christakos
  Release Date: 05/13/1998
  
  
• 2 - Advances Made in Determining Fate and Bioavailability of PAH in Soil -- Pfaender
  Release Date: 08/20/1997