Workplace performance factors

• Cellular mechanisms that control sleep:wake cycles
• Job performance in shift workers
• Computer-based training methods to enhance worker safety training (e.g., ergonomics, respirator use)

Damage and Repair (e.g., post injury)

• Assessing nerve cell protein dynamics
• Using nanotechnology to enhance nerve growth
• Factors that govern the accuracy of nerve synapse formation
• Pharmacological interventions to enhance nerve regeneration
• Genetic models of neural degeneration

Occupational/environmental
exposures and fatalities

• Investigation of occupational fatalities in Oregon
• Effects of pesticide exposures assessed using exposure biomarkers and neurobehavioral testing
• Toxicant exposures in Gulf War veterans
• Toxicants that disrupt protein transport in neurons

DNA damage, genetic alterations
and disease

• Role of DNA repair in protecting the nervous system from genotoxin effects
• Gene silencing and cancer
• Mutations induced by ionizing irradiation, oxidative stress, and other genotoxins
• Ion channel mutations that underlie diseases

Neurotoxicogenomics and Child Health

Representing a fundamental change in our approach to toxicology, toxicogenomics is a revolutionary new scientific discipline that studies the role of gene-environment interactions in disease and dysfunction.

Neurotoxic Superfund Chemicals
and Biomarkers

The OHSU Superfund Basic Research Center studies Superfund chemicals that exert toxic or mutagenic effects on the mammalian nervous system during development and in adulthood.

Outreach & education program goals:

• Provide scientifically accurate information on Oregon's occupational issues
• Offer educational programs on Oregon's occupational needs
• Train health professionals
• Provide the scientific expertise to help Oregon industry and labor evaluate occupational health and safety questions.