27. 10. 2023
Reading time: 2 minutes
Recently, several highly regarded publications have been published in prestigious scientific journals by a team of authors from the Department of Genetic Toxicology and Epigenetics. These studies are:
- Particle lung deposited surface area (LDSAal) size distributions in different urban environments and geographical regions: Towards understanding of the PM2.5 dose–response (otevře se v novém okně) (Environment International / IF 13.352)
- Emissions from modern engines induce distinct effects in human olfactory mucosa cells, depending on fuel and aftertreatment (otevře se v novém okně) (Science of The Total Environment / IF 10.753)
- Lactose-Functionalized Carbosilane Glycodendrimers Are Highly Potent Multivalent Ligands for Galectin-9 Binding: Increased Glycan Affinity to Galectins Correlates with Aggregation Behavior (otevře se v novém okně) (Biomacromolecules / IF 6.979)
The authors of the studies are Jan Topinka, Táňa Závodná, Zdeněk Krejčík and others.
The Department of Genetic Toxicology and Epigenetics is focused on the mechanisms of toxic effects of engineered nanoparticles as well as combustion originated fine and ultrafine particles. Major attention is paid to the interaction of particles and their components with biomolecules in human cell lines. Currently, DGTE is focused on the role of ultrafine particles in the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases.
The methods include various tests of cytotoxicity, the detection of reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage of DNA, proteins and lipids (ELISA), analyzes of genotoxicity (Comet assay, DNA adducts) and clastogenic effects (micronucleus test and cytogenetic analysis by FISH), as well as analyzes of protein expression (western blotting) and DNA repair activity (NER and NHEJ). To get more insight into the mechanism of biological effects of particles or their extracts, the toxicogenomic methods (microarrays and next generation sequencing) and RT-PCR are used. Most of these tests are also available to external users from research, universities, industry and academia via the Research Infrastructure NanoEnviCz (www.nanoenvicz.cz).
More information can be found on the department’s website.