• Department Faculty
• Department Research
• Department Teaching & Training
• Department Service
• Pharmacology & Toxicology Graduate Program
• Apply to the Pharmacology & Toxicology Graduate Program
• UofU Graduate School Brochure

BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY

Human beings are exposed, both intentionally and accidentally, to a wide variety of foreign compounds, known as "xenobiotics", via the processes of absorption, ingestion and inhalation. Many xenobiotics are potentially harmful to the body, and cause toxicity by interacting with components of the cell, often specific enzymes. Toxicologists in the Department investigate these processes with particular focus on the actions and regulation of cytochrome P450 and other drug metabolizing enzymes in the liver, lung and brain. Biochemical and molecular biological techniques are used to identify and characterize factors that regulate the transcription of genes encoding these enzymes, so as to better understand the role they play in generating toxic molecules in the body.

The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which pollutants present in the air may damage lung tissue is a particular research emphasis in the Department. Department faculty have identified and cloned "irritant" receptors in the lung that may be affected by particles in the air, as well as by capsaicinoids, which are present, for example, in pepper sprays. Ongoing efforts to develop sensitive techniques for measuring these compounds, as well as to study how these receptors become activated, may lead to a better understanding of environmentally-induced pulmonary disease and provide insights for designing drugs to prevent toxicity to the lung.

Faculty with primary research interests in biochemical and molecular toxicology collaborate extensively, both within the Department and with others in the Health Sciences Center. A lively Toxicology Journal Club runs all year, and provides opportunities for faculty and graduate students to review and discuss the latest research developments.

Faculty Involved in Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology (click on each name to learn more about specific research interests):

• Dr. Shane Cutler
• Dr. Michael Franklin
• Dr. J. Gregory Lamb
• Dr. Phillip Moos
• Dr. William Nichols
• Dr. Christopher Reilly
• Dr. John Veranth
• Dr. Gary Yost

Graduate Students working in Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology:

• Dorie Arch
• Cassie Deering
• Fred Henion
• Chad Moore
• Kiu Shahrokh
• Karen Thomas
• Jessica Weems

Pharmacology & Toxicology   College of Pharmacy   30 S. 2000 E., Rm 201, SLC  UT 84112  phone: 801-581-6287  fax: 801-585-5111  phtx@pharm.utah.edu