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Gene-Environment
Overview
Genetic variation can influence one's susceptibility to environmental exposures, causing certain individuals to respond differently to the same exposure, and potentially contribute to differences in disease risk within a population. Understanding and communicating the effects of gene-environment relationships on human health is a key challenge, and Gradient's expertise in epidemiology, genetics, toxicology, and risk communication provides a strong foundation for critically evaluating the role of gene-environment interactions in risk assessment and litigation contexts.
Example publications:
Goodman, JE; Petito Boyce, C; Pizzurro, DM; Rhomberg, LR. 2014. "Strengthening the foundation of next generation risk assessment." Reg. Tox. Pharmacol. 68(1):160-170.
Prueitt, RL; Bailey, LA; Goodman, JE. 2011. "Nature vs. nurture? A challenging question for risk assessors in the age of genomics." ABA Science and Technology Committee News 7(2):13-15.
Bailey, LA; Prueitt RL. 2016. “Genomics in toxic tort litigation – Are we there yet?” ABA Environmental Litigation and Toxic Torts Committee News 17(2):26-30
Bailey, LA; Prueitt RL. 2016. “Genomics in toxic tort litigation – Are we there yet?” ABA Environmental Litigation and Toxic Torts Committee News 17(2):26-30
Example Projects
Health Risks of Particulate Matter and Ozone
Full DescriptionAs part of written and oral comments to US EPA regarding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter and ozone, Gradient evaluated whether people with certain genetic profiles may be more susceptible to adverse health effects associated with these air pollutants.
Evaluation of Potential Susceptibility to Cardiovascular Disease from Differences in Caffeine Metabolism Associated with Genetic Polymorphisms
Full DescriptionGradient evaluated the evidence for the effect of caffeine exposure on induction of variants of the gene for a metabolizing enzyme (CYP1A2) in humans and whether induction of different variants by caffeine could confer potential susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.
Critical Review of Benzene Toxicogenomics
Full DescriptionGradient critically reviewed global gene expression profiling data for a population exposed to benzene to determine whether the expression profile could be used as a biomarker of benzene toxicity in a broader population without knowledge of benzene exposure from a specific source.
Critique of Next Generation Risk Assessment Tools
Full DescriptionGradient critically reviewed US EPA's 2013 report on potential uses of NexGen toxicity testing methods for assessing risks associated with chemical exposures. These methods include high-throughput screening of alterations in gene expression and the resulting effects on biological pathways, as well as analysis of gene variants that influence human susceptibility to disease.