Genomics in Regulatory Ecotoxicology


Book Description

Fueled partially by large, well-publicized efforts such as the Human Genome Project, genomic research is a rapidly growing area in multiple biological disciplines, including toxicology. Much of this potential, however, has been discussed in the literature and at technical meetings only in relatively broad terms, making it difficult to assess exactl







Genomics and Environmental Regulation


Book Description

To reduce the deleterious effects of environmental contamination, governments across the world have enacted regulations broadly conceived for entire populations. Information arising out of the Human Genome Project and other cutting-edge genetic research is shifting the policymaking process. This fascinating volume draws on experts from academia, government, industry, and nongovernmental organizations to examine the science of genomic research as applied to environmental policy. The first section explores environmental policy applications, including subpopulation genetic profiling, industrial regulations, and standardizing governmental evaluation of genomic data. The second section assesses from multiple angles the legal framework involved in applying genomics to environmental regulation. In the third section, the contributors review closely the implications of genomic research for occupational health, from disease prevention and genetic susceptibility to toxicants, to workers' rights and potential employment discrimination. A fourth section explores the bioethical and philosophical complications of bringing genetic data and research into nonclinical regulatory frameworks. Genomics and Environmental Regulation points to ways in which information on toxicology and genetics can be used to craft more precise and efficient regulations. -- Wendy Wagner, University of Texas




Genomic Approaches for Cross-Species Extrapolation in Toxicology


Book Description

The latest tools for investigating stress response in organisms, genomic technologies provide great insight into how different organisms respond to environmental conditions. However, their usefulness needs to be tested, verified, and codified. Genomic Approaches for Cross-Species Extrapolation in Toxicology provides a balanced discussion drawn from







Genetics And Ecotoxicology


Book Description

This first volume in the series provides a detailed treatment in ecotoxicology and stresses why genetics is important in understanding if and how chemical contaminants affect populations. Written by an array of international contributors from various fields covering mammals, invertebrates, fish, plants, as well as molecular ecotoxicology, this book considers both ecological/evolutionary consequences and practical implications of the interplay between chemical toxicants and the genetic population. In broadening the understanding of ecological response, this resource ranges from molecular to classical genetics, from plant to animal, from asexual to sexual, touching on some fundamental issues of evolutionary biology. In addition, gaps in our present understanding of genetic and ecotoxicological processes and future research directions have been identified.







Toxicogenomics in Predictive Carcinogenicity


Book Description

Research over the past decade has demonstrated that TGx methods of various types can be used to discriminate modes of mutagenesis as a function of dose. TGx can quickly inform safety evaluation regarding potential mechanisms of conventional outcomes and can provide essential dose-response information. This can then be used to ascertain the sequence of key events in a putative mode of action as may apply in quantitative cancer risk assessment. With the increasing complexity of research in mode of action investigations it is important to gain a better understand of approaches to data integration and health risk assessment. Furthermore, it is essential to consider how novel test systems and newer methods and approaches may be used in future to gain a better understanding of mechanisms. Toxicogenomics in Predictive Carcinogenicity describes toxicogenomics methods in predictive carcinogenicity testing, mode of action and safety evaluation, and cancer risk assessment. It illustrates these methods using case studies that have yielded significant new information on compounds and classes of compounds that have proven difficult to evaluate using conventional methods alone. This book additionally covers current and potential toxicogenomic research using stem cells as well as new bioinformatics methods for drug discovery and environmental toxicology. This publication is an indispensable tool for postgraduates, academics and industrialists working in biochemistry, genomics, carcinogenesis, pathology, pharmaceuticals, food technology, bioinformatics, risk assessment and environmental toxicology.




Integrative Toxicogenomics: Analytical Strategies to Amalgamate Exposure Effects with Genomic Sciences


Book Description

Toxicogenomics combines the use of toxicology and genomic sciences to elucidate chemical, toxic and environmental stressor effects on biological systems. Integrative toxicogenomics requires innovation in bioinformatics, statistics and systems toxicology and typically a combination of the utility of two of more of these disciplines to better understand molecular mechanisms involved in toxic responses. This Frontiers in Toxicogenomics Research Topic eBook focuses on integrative toxicogenomics more so at the late stage (analyzing each data set separately and then merging the results ) and brings together analyses that combine gene expression (microarray, TempO-Seq or RNA-Seq) with other data (biological assays, clinical chemistry, therapeutic categories or molecular pathways) or highlights data analytics that leverage bioinformatics and statistics. The eight articles illustrate the state-of-art in the field and the analysis of toxicogenomics data for a more comprehensive deduction of biological mechanisms and cellular functions associated with adverse outcomes from environmental exposures, chemicals and toxicants. However, it is clear that the field of integrative toxicogenomics needs considerably more attention paid to it in order to develop other clever ways of integrating the data for analysis.




Applications of Toxicogenomics in Safety Evaluation and Risk Assessment


Book Description

This book provides a timely overview of toxicogenomics, with special emphasis on the practical applications of this technology to the risk assessment process. Introductory sections are followed by a series of chapters highlighting practical and systematic applications of toxicogenomics in informing the risk assessment process – including the areas of mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, endocrine toxicity, organ-specific toxicity, population monitoring, and ecotoxicology. The book concludes with approaches for the integration of this technology in safety evaluation studies, and an outlook on how toxicogenomics and complementary technologies can reframe the current risk assessment paradigm.