Dr. Michael Norman Routledge,

Associate Professor of Environmental Toxicology, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds

Lecture for Students and Teachers

Title: Cellular toxicity of nanoparticles/ Measurement of mycotoxin exposure in human populations using biomarkers of exposure

Time: Sep.19, 2019, 9:30

Place: the No.3 lecture hall on the third floor of the conference center.

Introduction to Dr. Michael Norman Routledge:

Dr. Michael Norman Routledge is an associate Professor of Environmental Toxicology, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds. His research interests are in Molecular Epidemiology and Environmental Toxicology. Current foci of research are on particle toxicology, including nanoparticles and urban particulate matter, and mycotoxin exposure and health effects in children. He received his PhD in Environmental carcinogenesis from University of York. in 1991. In 2000, he joined School of Medicine, University of Leeds as a Lecturer in Molecular Epidemiology. Dr. Michael Norman Routledge and his research group have published more than 70 journal publications. He is also an Editorial Board Member for International Journal of Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology.

Abstract:

“Cellular toxicity of nanoparticles”：Engineered nanoparticles are used in many food products and can also enter the environment, leading to potential exposure through ingestion, inhalation or absorption. As part of a European collaboration called ENNSATOX, SiO2, TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles of varying size and morphology were tested for toxicity. In this seminar the results of toxicity and genotoxicity tests on cultured colon, skin and lung cells will be described. In addition to comparing size and shape on toxicity, the mechanism of cellular uptake of silica nanoparticles was determined using electron microscopy. Nano and ultrafine particles are also produced during combustion, and are key components of air pollution in urban environments. Evidence of the increased toxicity of ultrafine particulate matter collected at the roadside on lung cells, and the impact of these particulates on vascular endothelial cells will also be presented. “Measurement of mycotoxin exposure in human populations using biomarkers of exposure”：There are a number of mycotoxins that have potential to impact on human health, including aflatoxin, fumonisins and deoxynivalenol. Of these, aflatoxin is the most potent and is known to cause acute illness as well as be carcinogenic. We have used biomarkers to assess individual exposure to these toxins in order to assess their potential health effects in epidemiological studies. In this seminar, the biomarker methods will be described, as well as data being presented from studies in African populations, where the impact of mycotoxin exposure is high.

(School of Food and Biological Engineering)