Cindy's page
Profile
| Name | Cindy Knall | |
| Title | ||
| Department | WWAMI | |
| Campus | UAA | |
| afcmk@uaa.alaska.edu | ||
| Webpage |
About me
Research Interests
Shared Files
| File name | Description |
Research Projects
| Project Title | Status | Abstract |
| The Effects of Benzene and its Metabolites on Epithelial Lung Cells | Current | Benzene is both an environmental pollutant and a component of cigarette smoke, gasoline and automotive emissions. Although occupational exposure to benzene has been shown to cause blood disorders and cancer in humans, the potential health effects resulting from exposure to low levels of benzene are not known and have not been entirely investigated. It is crucial to identify the levels of benzene and its metabolites in lungs cells exposed to cigarette smoke to better understand the effects of this known carcinogen on the lung. This study will investigate the metabolism of benzene and the formation of benzene DNA adducts in lung cells after benzene exposure. By investigating the metabolism of benzene we will have a better understanding of the effects that benzene has on the lungs, both as a component of cigarette smoke and as an environmental hazard. The goal of this proposal is to identify the mechanism and to define the extent of damage that benzene induces in lung cells, both primary human bronchial epithelial cells and CaLu3 cells of human bronchial epithelial origin. This study will have two specific aims:
Specific Aim #1:To analyze the metabolism of benzene in primary human lung epithelial cells and CaLu3 cells. The objective of this aim is to test the hypothesis that with increase benzene amounts, formation of each metabolite will increase. To further hypothesis, the CaLu3 cells', due to their susceptibility, will have greater metabolite formation than that of the primary human lung epithelial cells. Specific Aim #2:To define the changes in DNA structure due to the metabolism of benzene and subsequent formation of benzene DNA adducts. The objective of this aim is to test the hypothesis that a correlation will exist between benzene metabolism and metabolite formation and the rate of DNA adduct formation. To further this hypothesis, the CaLu3 cells, due to their susceptibility, will develop DNA adducts at a greater rate and frequency than the primary human lung epithelial cells. Research Questions: 1) Will the two types of cells metabolism benzene differently and how will the amounts of benzene metabolized relate to the possible changes? 2) What changes will occur to the DNA structure from the metabolism of benzene (i.e. formation of DNA adducts)? How will these changes compare between the two types of cells? |
| Establishment of Nicotine and Cotinine Protocol Using Agilent LC-MS/MS; Determination of Vitamin D Levels in smokers and never-smokers | Completed | This study will provide an accessible and affordable means for future monitoring of tobacco use in Alaska and to determine the exacerbating effects of tobacco use on Vitamin D deficiency. Currently, there is no low-cost method available in Alaska for detecting nicotine levels in humans and tobacco and cigarette use in the State is common and particularly high among Alaska Natives. In fact, according to the National Health Interview Survey, the rate of cigarette smoking among Alaska Natives is almost twice higher than in the general US population. Alaska Natives have high rates of tobacco-related deaths and lung cancer remains to be one of the leading causes of all cancer-related deaths especially in rural regions of Alaska. Residents of Northern climates have found to have lower levels of Vitamin D than populations in southern or mid latitudes. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to many forms of cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and heart disease. This second phase of this study will determine whether nicotine contributes to Vitamin D deficiency in Alaskans.
This study has two main aims: the first to establish a mass spectrometry protocol for detecting nicotine and its metabolites such as cotinine in human blood and urine samples for futur use in practices relevant to human health such as: monitoring smoking cessation efforts, detecting cigarette exposure in children and fetuses of smoking pregnant women, developing a tobacco control plan and also encouraging the smoking part of the population to reduce cigarette and tobacco use. The second aim is to determine whether nicotine and its metabolites contribute to Vitamin D deficiency in tobacco users. |
| Contruction and Validation of an IN Vitro Exposure System | Completed | This project proposes to research the effect of atmospheric pollutants in cigarette smoke on live respiratory cells. I will be assisting in this study by helping design and modify a pre-existing plan, and then by assembling said design. This design system will then be used as an exposure system to study the controlled exposure of smoke and nicotine on live cells. I will be responsible with the assembly and testing of the exposure system, before laboratory testing can begin. |
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