SEED Grants 2002
Development of a Transgenic Fish Model for use in Assessing Genotoxins in the Environment
Anne McElroyMarine Science Research Center, SBU
Bruce Brownawell
Marine Science Research Center, SBU
Lynn Mendelman
Department of Biology, BNL
Richard Setlow
Department of Biology, BNL
Richard Winn
School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia
The purpose of this work is to conduct dose response experiments with known environmental mutagens to characterize the responsiveness and sensitivity of a newly developed transgenic fish model to evaluate environmental mutagens. This proposal provides many possibilities for mutation research in that it offers the ease of an in vitro assay with the complexity of a whole animal exposure and can be used to address tissue or life stage dependent responses to a host of environmental agents.
Toxin Knowledge Base Management using Artificial Intelligence and Database Technologies
I.V. RamakrishnanComputer Science Department, SBU
John Dunn
Department of Biology, BNL
Michael Kifer
Computer Science Department, SBU
Subramanyam Swaminathan
Department of Biology, BNL
This proposal aims to collect all relevant information pertaining to toxins at a molecular level and create a Toxin Knowledge Base repository to look for motifs, design new experiments and predict the structure and function of molecules for which these data are not available. The resource will be mined to assimilate, synthesize, analyze and disseminate genomic and structural information on current and potential biological warfare genes and their products.
Gene Expression Profiles following in vivo exposure to ionizing radiation
Kanokporn RithidechDepartment of Pathology, SBU
John Dunn
Department of Biology, BNL
The objective of this proposal is to establish a serial analysis of gene expression facility at SBU to detecting differences in gene expression in tissues obtained from mice exposed to ionizing radiation. Understanding how cells or tissues respond to radiation will be of importance to accurately predict the effects on the health of individuals living in populations exposed to radiation and develop better strategies to protect such populations.
Optimizing Functional Neuroimaging Techniques to study the Psychological Mechanism underlying Violence in Cocaine Addiction
Nancy SquiresDepartment of Psychology, SBU
Linda Chang
Medical Department, BNL
Thomas Ernst
Medical Department, BNL
Rita Goldstein
Medical Department, BNL
Nora Volkow
Department of Life Sciences, BNL
The purpose of this work is to assess the relationship between the neurophysiological measures and violence of cocaine users and increase understanding of the vicious cycle of drug addiction, the factors that contribute to violence, provide clinicians with neuroimaging and neuropsychological data that serve to identify individuals at a higher risk for committing violent crimes and answer the fundamental questions of biopsychology.
Microscopy of Biomolecular Structures
Stanislaus WongDepartment of Chemistry, SBU
Joseph Wall
Department of Biology, BNL
This proposal intends to provide a foundation for understanding structure-function relationships in biomolecules under physiological conditions. The results of these experiments will have an impact on molecular absorption and provide broader applications in other projects including systems as diverse as protease complexes.