Research Program

Our research of Biochemical Toxicology investigates the mode of action of various substances and materials including crude oil/dispersant system, drugs of abuse, and metallic nanoparticles, etc. Experimental organisms include Caenorhabditis elegans (C.elegans) and Rattus norvegicus (the SD rat). Ongoing projects include 1) Reproductive toxicity of crude oil/dispersant mixture. The mixture of crude oil and chemical dispersant significantly inhibit brood size and affect embryonic development in C.elegans, current researches focus on the regulation of key players in apoptotic machinery by oil/dispersant system; 2) Molecular mechanism of addiction-related behaviors of nicotine; Nicotine induced addiction behaviors (stimulation, dependence, and withdrawal) has been characterized in C.elegans, we currently investigate the regulation of cholinergic and serotonergic signaling and transmission pathways by nicotine; and 3) Peripheral biomarkers in blast-induced neurotrauma. Developing sensitive diagnostic and prognostic markers using well-controlled experiments on model organism represent a critical basic research topic fundamentally important to neuropsychological health and recovery of TBI and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This project using the SD rat as an animal model to identify circulating miRNAs as a novel biomarker for TBI and related neurological and systemic damages, especially for mild TBI which currently lack effective diagnostic strategy. Identified miRNAs will contribute towards the development of novel non-invasive diagnostic tools and facilitate the evaluation of medical interventions and treatments.

Courses Taught

BIOL 5800. Biochemistry I, Intermediary Metabolism.

BIOL 4800 and 6030. Principles of Toxicology

Selected Publications

Zhang Y, Chen D, Ennis AC, Polli JR, Xiao P, Zhang B, Stellwag EJ, Overton A, & Pan X. (2012) Chemical Dispersant Potentiates Crude Oil Impacts on Growth, Reproduction, and Gene Expression in Caenorhabditis elegans. Achieves of Toxicology (In press). DOI: 10.1007/s00204-012-0936-x

Pan X. (2012) Determining Gene Flow in Transgenic Cotton. Methods in Molecular Biology (In press).

Zhang Y, Chen, D, Smith, MA, Zhang, B, & Pan, X. (2012). Selection of Reliable Reference Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans for Analysis of Nanotoxicity.  PLoS One.  7(3): e31849. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031849

Shah, M, Pan X, Fix L, Farwell M, Zhang B. (2011) 5-Fluorouracil Drug Alters the MicroRNA Expression Profiles in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells. Journal of Cellular Physiology 226(7):1868-78.

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

First row from left to right: Zhang, Yanqiong PhD Candidate; Dobbins, Dorothy LIoyd MS Candidate; Polli, Joseph Ryan Undergraduate Researcher; Satsangi, Aparna Undergraduate Researcher; Second row from left to right: Dr. Wu, Hongmei. Visiting Scholar; O'Donnell, Brittany MS Candidate; Flood, Zailene Dashawn MS Candidate.