Research Group
Chemical Risks [CheR]
("Risks from chemicals with carcinogenic, genotoxic or hormonal activity")
Risks from chemicals are assessed on the basis of data on exposure, hazardous
properties, dose-response characteristics and mode of action. The research group
conducts experimental studies with selected hazardous compounds, and works on
improving methods for the detection of critical effects and concepts of toxicological
evaluation based on mechanistic information.
Scientific Members
- Claudia Behm
- Hermann M. Bolt
- Gisela H. Degen (head)
- Wolfram Föllmann
- Jan G. Hengstler
- Nicola Höfer
- Katherine A. Munoz
Current research
In toxicological studies we investigate dose-response relationships and/or mode of action for specific compounds. Examples are ongoing research projects for arsenic, cadmium, mycotoxins and steroids. The spectrum of methods used range from reductionist approaches. i. e. cell culture models to more complex studies in rodents. Risks from chemicals is largely determined by human exposure: This aspect is addressed in two biomonitoring projects where we analyse an internal exposure to the mycotoxin ochratoxin A and to chemicals with hormonal activity (phyto-/xenoestrogens). Activities to develop and improve methods for detecting adverse effects of chemicals in cell cultures from the urinary tract are part of the intergroup research initiative "UroTox" at IfADo.
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Field of research "Effect characterization for selected compounds and mixtures"
(Claudia Behm, Gisela H. Degen, Wolfram Föllmann, Nicola Höfer)
The question whether damage of the genetic material arises from direct or indirect genotoxic effects of an agent and the underlaying mechanisms have gained considerable attention in the context of hazard characterization. This topic is addressed in experimental studies with selected chemicals, mycotoxins and their mixtures, also with other agents (arsenic), and for anabolic steroids misused in doping. Research needs exist also for so-called "endocrine disruptors": The biological efficacy of estrogenic compounds and combinations will be studied (in cooperation with Prof. Dr. P. Diel, DSHS Köln) both in vitro and in vivo. Another project will help to clarify the relevance of estrogenic effects of cadmium, a heavy metal which is presently regulated on the basis of its well known nephrotoxicity.
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Field of research "Biomonitoring"
(Gisela H. Degen, Katherine A. Munoz - in cooperation with the central support unit "Analytical chemistry")
An analytical method for the detection and quantification of isoflavone-phytoestrogens and bisphenol A in urine has been validated for biomonitoring at low levels of exposure. It is now applied within a research project (CEFIC-LRI) to investigate the exposure of German children against phyto-/xenoestrogens (in cooperation with FKE). A thesis project on ochratoxin A (OTA), supported by DAAD and CONICYT, will assess early mycotoxin exposures in infants from Chile and Germany (cooperation with the University of Conception, Chile). This project builds upon published biomonitoring methods for OTA, but involves also method developments to cover metabolites.
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Field of research "Method Developments"
(Claudia Behm, Gisela H. Degen, Wolfram Föllmann, Jan G. Hengstler)
Our work on urothelial cell cultures as alternative test systems focuses on the detection of hazardous effects of chemicals that target the bladder. In this context refined techniques are needed to assess damage profiles of chemicals, and study effects also at the level of subpopulations and single cells. This work is pursued within the intergroup research initiative "UroTox" at IfADo.
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Field of research "Toxicological risk evaluations"
(Hermann M. Bolt, Gisela H. Degen)
Research projects on selected hazardous chemicals take up either principal scientific questions with regard to occupational limit value setting for carcinogenic chemicals or are closely related to questions of advisory regulatory bodies (AGS, MAK, SCOEL) on classification and labelling of such compounds. Internationally recognized papers of the project group on matters of risk evaluation for important industrial chemicals such as acrylamide, acrylnitril, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, vinyl acetate and vinylchloride group are key elements in new concepts for the regulation of carcinogenic chemicals (see below -> selected publications). Work in this field thus accomodates also the aspect of applied research.
Research facilities
- analysis of chemicals in biological samples by HPLC, GC/MS and LC/MS -> infrastructure of the central support unit "Analytical chemistry"
- cell culture laboratories with infrastructure for mutagenicity tests in bacteria and genotoxicity tests in mammalian cells (i. a. Comet-Assay image analysis unit)
- flow cytometer (FACS Calibur)
- electrophoresis units for nucleic acid and protein separation
- laboratory for PCR analysis (Thermo-Cycler, Light-Cycler)
- microscopes (for light-, contrast-, flluorescence-microscopy)
- plate-reader and spektrophotometer (both for UV/VIS and fluorescence)
Recent grants
- research project "Multikomponentenanalyse für Mykotoxine in Getreide und Futtermitteln"; NRW Ministerium für Innovation, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie (MIWFT), 2006-2008
- research project "Impact of physiological, lifestyle and environmental factors on the development of puberty"; coordination at FKE Dortmund; CEFIC/LRI, 2007-2009
- thesis project "Cadmium effects on estrogen receptor-mediated signaling in colon cells and hormonal potency assessment in vivo" within Graduate college 1427 'Food constituents as triggers of nuclear receptor-mediated intestinal signaling' at the University Düsseldorf; DFG, 2007-2009
- thesis project "Analysis of the exposure of infants to ochratoxin A"; stipend for K. Munoz by DAAD/CONICYT, 2008-2010
- 2008-2013 European research project "Embryonic stem cell-based novel alternative testing strategies" (ESNATS/EU), projekt in collaboration with Prof. Hengstler
Co-operations
- In the research project "Mykotoxine" the IfADo research group coooperates with partners at der TU Dortmund (Prof. Spiteller), the universities in Münster (Prof. Humpf) and Bonn (Prof. Dehne) and the the BG-Handel und Warendistribution (Dr. Mayer, Mannheim). Research on anabolic steroids, cadmium and other hormonally active compounds is done in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Diel (Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln). In the research project "Phytoestrogens" (CEFIC-LRI) we cooperate with Prof. Dr. Remer (FKE, Dortmund). Moreover agreements on cooperation exist with the Institute of Toxicology, University of Düsseldorf and the IFA; till 11/20/2009 BGFA at the Ruhr-University Bochum.
- International cooperations exist with Prof. N. Basaran (Ankara, Turkey), Prof. J. Fink-Gremmels (Univ. Utrecht, NL), Prof. J.K. Malik (Izatnagar, Indien) and Prof. M. Vega, (University of Conception, Chile).
Selected publications
- Degen GH, Nies E: Luftgrenzwerte für Krebserzeugende Arbeitsstoffe – aus der Arbeit des "AK CM” im AGS. Gefahrstoffe – Reinhaltung der Luft 68: 299-302 (2008)
- Bolt HM, Huici-Montagud A: Strategy of the scientific committee on occupational exposure limits (SCOEL) in the derivation of occupational exposure limits for carcinogens and mutagens. Arch Toxicol 82: 61-64 (2008)
- Bolt HM, Degen GH, Dorn SB, Plöttner S, Harth V: Genotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity of 2,4,6-TNT trinitrotoluene: structural and toxicological considerations. Rev Environ Health 21: 217-228 (2006)
- Bolt HM, Foth H, Hengstler JG, Degen GH: Carcinogenicity categorization of chemicals : new aspects to be considered in a European perspective. Toxicol Lett 151: 29-41 (2004)
