Research Program

Our research of Biochemical Toxicology investigates the mode of action of various substances and materials including explosives, nanomaterials, and drugs of abuse. Currently, we investigate the reversible neurotoxic effects of explosive compounds on the cholinergic signaling and transmission pathways in the model organisms C.elegans and rodents. We are also interested in the development of highly significant biomarkers for drug/toxicant exposure, health effects monitoring, and novel therapeutic targets identification. Various experimental and bioinformatic approaches and techniques have been integrated into our research.

Courses Taught

BIOL 5800. Biochemistry I, Intermediary Metabolism.

Selected Publications

Shah, M, Pan X, Fix L, Farwell M, Zhang B. 5-Fluorouracil Drug Alters the MicroRNA Expression Profiles in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells. Journal of Cellular Physiology (In press).

Pan X,Murashov AK, Stellwag EJ, Zhang B. (2010) Monitoring microRNA expression during embryonic stem-cell differentiation using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Methods in Molecular Biology 650: 213-224

Pan X,Redding JE, Wiley PA, Wen L, McConnell JS, Zhang B. (2010) Mutagenicity evaluation of metal oxide nanoparticles by the bacterial reverse mutation assay. Chemosphere 79(1) 113-116.

Zhang B., Pan X. (2009) RDX induces aberrant expression of microRNAs in mouse brain and liver. Environmental Health Perspectives 117(2) 231-240

Pan X., San Francisco M., Lee C., Ochoa K.M., Xu X., Liu J., Zhang B., Cox S.B., Cobb G.P. (2007) Examination of the mutagenicity of RDX and its N-nitroso metabolites using the Salmonella reverse mutation assay. Mutation Research 629(1): 64-69.

Pan X., Zhang B., San Francisco M., Cobb G.P. (2007).  Characterizing viral microRNAs and its application on identifying new microRNAs in viruses.  Journal of Cellular Physiology 211(1): 10-18.

Pan X., Zhang B., Smith J.N., San Francisco M., Anderson T.A., Cobb G.P. (2007).  N-nitroso compounds produced in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) GI tract following hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) exposure. Chemospere 67(6): 1164-1170.

Pan X., Zhang B., Tian K., Jones L.E., Liu J., Anderson T.A., Wang J., Cobb G.P. (2006) Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX). Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 20 (14): 2222-2226.

Pan X., Zhang B., Cox S.B., Anderson T.A., Cobb G.P. (2006) Determination of N-nitroso derivatives of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in soils by pressurized liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography A 1107: 2-8.

Pan X., Zhang B., Cobb G.P. (2005) Extraction and analysis of trace amount of cyclonite (RDX) and its nitroso-metabolites in animal liver tissue using gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Talanta 67: 816-823.

Pan X., Zhang B., Cobb G.P. (2005) Transgenic plants: environmental benefits and risks. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants. 11:13-32.

Mukhi S., Pan X., Cobb G.P., Patino R. (2005) Toxicity of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine to larval zebrafish. Chemosphere 61:178-18

Laboratory Personnel