Cycle 11- November 2023 OEFC Research Voucher Awards

Large OEFC Research Voucher Award(s): Supporting the Base (large) awards (up to 25% total OMICS costs capped at a $10,000 maximum) will be provided to subsidize CIEHS-member NIEHS-funded research.

Principal Investigator:John Wise, Jr., Ph.D.
Collaborator:Lu Cai, M.D., Ph.D. and Jun Cai, M.D., Ph.D.
Title: Cr(VI)-Induced DNA Damage Contributes To Brain Aging
Lay Description: This research voucher supports Dr. Wise and his team to investigate the neurotoxicity of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. Cr(VI) is a known human carcinogen that made international news when Erin Brokovich challenged PG&E for contamination of drinking water in Hinkley, CA. Dr. Wise's study is the first to assess potential neurotoxic effects of Cr(VI) using a rat model exposed to drinking water levels that are currently considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); 0.05 and 0.1 mg/L (or ppm), respectively. This research voucher will provide the necessary funds to assess accumulation of chromium in various brain regions using UofL's Metallomics Core facility, and results are expected to be disseminated next spring.

New Hypothesis Expansion/Direction Medium OEFC Research Voucher Award(s):Medium research voucher applications support the expenses (up to $5,000) associated with critical exploratory research and proof-of-concept studies needed by CIEHS members for hypothesis generation and grant (re)submission.

Principal Investigator:Carolyn Klinge, Ph.D.
Collaborator:Melissa Smith, Ph.D. and Eric Rouchka, Ph.D.
Title: Determine If Palmitic Acid and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposures Alter m6A Marks in the Transcriptome of Aml12 Mouse Hepatocyte Cells
Lay Description: Environmental pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) increase progression of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We identified changes in a chemical modification of mRNA (m6A) in the livers of mice exposed to PCBs and a high fat diet that cause MASLD. The goal of this study is to determine if PCBs alter m6A in mRNAs in mouse liver cells to allow future specific mechanistic studies.