Research

NewGeneris research can be categorized under the following types of activities:

a) Collection and management of questionnaire information, exposure data and biological samples from 3 new cohorts and 4 existing cohorts

b) Experimental studies to develop and validate new biomarkers and high-throughput analytical methodologies, including in vitro studies to assess effects on sperm, evaluate transplacental transport and metaboli-sm and thus possibly identify new relevant biomarkers

c) Assessment of exposure from questionnaire and other data, analysis of biological samples for biomarkers of carcinogen exposure, cancer and immunotoxic risks, and genetic and phenotypic biomarkers of susceptibility

d) Statistical analysis of the data generated, evaluation of dose-response relationships, risk assessment, appraisal of public health implications, ethical considerations

The project’s investigation of the role of environmental exposures on childhood disease causation will focus on the following series of dietary and environmental chemicals:

Chemical class

Model compound

Source

Class of toxicity

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

 

benzo[a]pyrene

 

- environmental contamination of the food chain

- formation during baking and frying

- smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke

- genotoxic carcinogenesis

- immunotoxicity

 

heterocyclic amines

 

- 2-amino-3-methyl- imidazo[4,5-f]-quinoline (IQ)

- 2-amino-1-methyl-6-

phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP)

- formation during baking and broiling

 

- genotoxic carcinogenesis

 

acrylamides

 

monoacrylamide

 

- formation during baking and frying

- genotoxic carcinogenesis

nitrosamines

 

dimethylnitrosamine

 

- environmental nitrate contamination of the food chain and subsequent endogenous formation

- genotoxic carcinogenesis

 

mycotoxins

 

- Aflatoxin

- Deoxynivalenol

 

- environmental contamination of the food chain

- genotoxic carcinogenesis

- immunotoxicity

organochlorinated compounds

 

- dioxin (TCDD)

- PCB

 

- environmental contamination of the food chain

- cocarcinogenesis

- immunotoxicity

- endocrine disruption

DNA reactive aldehydes

 

- 4-hydroxynonenal

- malondialdehyde

 

- macronutrients

 

- genotoxicity upon lipid peroxidation

- immunotoxicity

alcohols

 

ethanol

 

- life style factor

- cocarcinogenesis

- immunotoxicity

Research is distributed between 14 Workpackages, whose objectives are briefly described in the Workpackages page