Core A : Administration

1. UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY SUPERFUND RESEARCH PROGRAM PCB153 PCB77 Control The University of Kentucky SRP focuses on the toxicology of Superfund chemicals, with chlorinated organics as model toxins, and how health effects of exposure can be modulated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, namely genetics and nutrition. A major objective of our program is to explore the paradigm that nutrition can modify Superfund chemical toxicity and thus modulate health and disease outcomes associated with Superfund chemical insult. Studies are underway to investigate mechanisms of adverse health effects of chlorinated organic compounds and to explore novel techniques for the detection and removal of these pollutants from the environment. ResearchProjects Student Success Project #1: Superfund Chemicals, Nutrition, and Endothelial Cell Dysfunction Elizabeth Willett, received First-Place Biomedical Student Award at 2010 Annual SRP Meeting. UK-SRP Center Students at the 2011 SRP Meeting in Lexington, KY. The goal of this project is to investigate if nutritional intervention can protect against PCB-induced vascular inflammatory diseases by modulating endothelial cell function through cross-talk between caveolae and Nfr2 signaling. This project has implications in understanding the detrimental effects of PCBs on cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and possible protection by nutritional intervention. Bernhard Hennig Project #2: Postnatal Complications of Perinatal Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposure Student alumni of the SRP, Beth Oesterling& XabierArzuagaare now employed by the EPA. the low birth weight effect (e.g. diet or exercise), and to determine whether in utero PCB exposure will influence long-term health (e.g. inflammation, insulin resistance, and hypertension) in offspring. The goals of this project are to elucidate the mechanism of low birth weight in offspring born to PCB-exposed dams, to find an intervention to block Kevin Pearson Project #3: Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Nutrition and Diabetes The goal of this project is to investigate the mechanisms of coplanar PCB-induced regulation of adipocyte inflammation associated with decreased glucose uptake insulin resistance and diabetes. We hypothesize that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of specific dietary polyphenolic compounds reduce harmful effects of PCBs on adipocyte TNF-α expression and glucose and insulin tolerance. Maggie Murphy received Best Poster Award from Ohio Valley SOT. ARRA-funded undergraduate students, Summer 2011. Integration of Projects Lisa Cassis Project #4: Biomimetic Magnetic Nanocomposites as a Platform Technology for the Capture and Sensing of PCBs The coatings are engineered to have precise nanoscale thickness, tunable affinity/selectivity, and reversible binding. The biomimetic polymer coatings on the magnetic nanoparticles will allow for capture, analysis, remediation, and release on demand. The overall goal of this project is to coat plant polyphenol-derived polymers onto magnetic nanoparticles for the creation of selective PCB binding domains with tunable affinity and selectivity. Con PCB77 Biphenyl VCAM1 Biomedical Projects (Projects 1, 2, and 3) b-actin J. Zach Hilt Project #5: Chloro-Organic Degradation by Polymer Membrane Immobilized Iron-Based Particle Systems Exposed cells/animal tissues/fluids Nutrition and PCB Toxicity Composition/ Concentration PCB breakdown products The overall goal of this project is to advance the development of bimetallic/catalytic, nanostructured metal systems for reductive platform, and the influence of both hydroxyl and superoxide anion radical on the oxidative platform. Integration of these two steps will lead to the dechlorination of halogenated organics to remediated products with lower toxicity. Capture, Sensing (Project 4) Remediation (Project 5) PCB breakdown products Dibakar Bhattacharyya Effectiveness Core C: Research Translation Core A: Administration Core B: Research Support Core E: Interdisciplinary Training Core D: Community Engagement Building a Well Organized Program Building the Integration of Research Bioinformatics Building Bridges Between the Disciplines Building Partnerships with Communities Building on Successful Collaborations Core Leader: Bernhard Hennig Core Leader: LindellOrmsbee Core Leader: Andrew Morris Core Leader: Lisa Gaetke The Research Translation Core is the conduit for the effective translation of UK-SRP research into policies, technological tools, and community-focused initiatives that can improve people’s lives. The Administrative Core is responsible for coordination, planning, financial oversight and information dissemination and transfer, as well as serving as a liaison between Government, University, and National SRP officials. Core Leader: Bernhard Hennig The Training Core prepares future scientists/engineers with thorough training in their fields, with basic knowledge about socio-economic, law, engineering, and science aspects outside The Community Engagement Core provides support and Arnold Stromberg Andrew Morris to individuals and communities affected by environmental pollutants by sharing critical, research-based programs on nutrition and health-related issues. their fields and with an ability to communicate and cooperate with specialists in other disciplines. The Research Support Core provides vital access to expertise, research resources and state of the art instrumentation to researchers engaged in all aspects of the components of the biomedical and non-biomedical research projects. Betty Newsom Bernhard Hennig Jennifer Moore Bernhard Hennig LindellOrmsbee Anna Hoover Lisa Gaetke