Department of Genetic Ecotoxicology
The research is organized in several levels
- Model studies on human cell cultures;
- molecular-epidemiological studies on model populations using biomarkers of exposure, effect and
- susceptibility;
- reproductive epidemiology – the effect of the environment on pregnancy outcomes (the involvement of genetic material, genetic polymorphisms, gene expression, and oxidative stress);
- the effect of air pollution on upper respiratory diseases in children and the modulatory effects of genetic polymorphisms on childhood morbidity.
Currently, molecular-epidemiological studies are being conducted on vol- unteers in Prague and Ostrava, reproductive epidemiology studies in Prague and České Budějovice, and epidemiology studies on respiratory morbidity in children from the Teplice, Prachatice and Ostrava regions. As far as respirable particulate matter and c-PAHs are concerned, the Ostrava region is considered the most polluted EU area.
Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology
The Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology conducts molecular epidemiological studies, including the risk assessment of mutagen and carcinogen exposure, using biomarkers of exposure, effect and susceptibility (DNA adducts, chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei, oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and lipids) analyses of genetic polymorphisms and RNA expression profiles, studies of the effect of the environment on pregnancy outcomes, and the effect of the environment on children’s health.
DNA instability in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome is also studied.
Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology
The Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology concentrates on the genotoxic effects of xenobiotics and oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and lipids in cell cultures (the hepatoma cell line HepG2, human diploid embryonic fibroblasts). The laboratory also studies the effect of environmental pollutants on the mechanisms underlying prostate cancer induction and progression.
