< Back to previous page

Project

Interplay of bacterial endotoxins and transition metals in the inflammatory capacity of airborne particulate matter.

Urbanization has resulted in health-threatening concentrations of air pollutants like particulate matter (PM), a diverse and complex mixture of air-suspended particles. PM affects more people than any other pollutant, and can be associated with e.g.asthma exacerbations and heart and vascular diseases. Studies indicate that many of the observed health effects are related to the capacity of inhaled PM to induce airway inflammation. Although not extensively studied and often neglected in PM sample collection methods, microbial endotoxins are components of PM with naturally high inflammatory potential. This response may be further enhanced with co-exposure to the other pollutants of PM. It has been suggested that transition metals may have a synergistic effect, however, novel approaches are needed to provide information on the biologically reactive state of the metals. This doctoral project therefore aims to develop and validate biologically relevant methods for analysis of airborne endotoxins and transition metals.
Date:1 Oct 2014 →  30 Sep 2015
Keywords:PARTICULATE MATTER, MICROBIAL ANALYSIS, AIRWAY INFLAMMATION
Disciplines:Immunology, Biomarker discovery and evaluation, Drug discovery and development, Medicinal products, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacognosy and phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacotherapy, Toxicology and toxinology, Other pharmaceutical sciences