Some molecules or conditions are exclusively toxic to biological systems and classified as being non-essential; others are essential for life. Nevertheless, above certain threshold even the essential will become toxic. Tightly controlled homeostatic control mechanisms are thus vital drivers of well being, longevity and survival. The identification and characterization of these intricate pathways form the foundations of Toxicogenomics. The initiation, and indeed completion, of numerous non-mammalian genome-sequencing projects, has driven the exponential growth of available genetic sequences. Collating this vast amount of data into functional and mechanistically meaningful units will provide novel insights into pathogenesis, new methods of risk assessment, genetic risk-modifications in preventative medicine and new therapeutic targets for pharmaceutical and biological medicines. This Research Topic issue will explore the current knowledgebase pertaining to the multitude of genomic and toxicological tools within non-mammalian organisms. The encyclopaedic coverage will span the full taxonomic breadth ranging from simple unicellular bacteria and yeast to complex creatures such as birds and fish. The resulting collection of unique, complimentary or indeed contrasting approaches, tools and technologies (which are defined by the availability and feasibility for each organism to study genomics of xenobiotic or stress biology) will not only foster cross-phyla awareness but expand the horizon of Toxicogenomics.

In the last decade and a half, great progress has been made in the development of concepts and models for mixture toxicity, both in human and environmental toxicology. However, due to their different protection goals, developments have often progressed in parallel but with little integration. Arguably the first book to clearly link ecotoxicology an

The new field of toxicogenomics presents a potentially powerful set of tools to better understand the health effects of exposures to toxicants in the environment. At the request of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Research Council assembled a committee to identify the benefits of toxicogenomics, the challenges to achieving them, and potential approaches to overcoming such challenges. The report concludes that realizing the potential of toxicogenomics to improve public health decisions will require a concerted effort to generate data, make use of existing data, and study data in new waysâ€"an effort requiring funding, interagency coordination, and data management strategies.

Functional genomics has come of age. No longer is it an adventure for the avant garde scientist, but it has become an increasingly standardized mainstream tool accessible to any modern biological laboratory. Toxicogenomics studies are now generating an avalanche of data that, with the aid of established informatics methodology, is being translated into biologically meaningful information. This is enabling us to start harvesting the benefits from years of investment in terms of technology, time, and (of course) money. It is therefore timely to bring together leading toxicologists with a wide variety of scientific aims in this book to demonstrate how microarray technology can be successfully applied to different research areas. This book transects biology from bacteria to human, from ecologically relevant sentinel organisms to well-characterized model species, and represents the full toxicogenomics arena from exploratory "blue sky" science to the prospects for incorporation into regulatory frameworks. - Reviews some of the first really fruitful studies made in this area - Covers different organisms ranging from humans to model species and environmental sentinels - Provides a broad view of the area, increasing its attractiveness to researchers working in a variety of specialties

Some of what we know about the health effects of exposure to chemicals from food, drugs, and the environment come from studies of occupational, inadvertent, or accident-related exposures. When there is not enough human data, scientists rely on animal data to assess risk from chemical exposure and make health and safety decisions. However, humans and animals can respond differently to chemicals, including the types of adverse effects experienced and the dosages at which they occur. Scientists in the field of toxicogenomics are using new technologies to study the effects of chemicals. For example, in response to a particular chemical exposure, they can study gene expression ("transcriptomics"), proteins ("proteomics") and metabolites ("metabolomics"), and they can also look at how individual and species differences in the underlying DNA sequence itself can result in different responses to the environment. Based on a workshop held in August 2004, this report explores how toxicogenomics could enhance scientists' ability to make connections between data from experimental animal studies and human health.

The aim of this book is to summarize our understanding on the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This area of research received great impetus from the identification of the first subunit sequences to be used as neonicotinoid insecticide target sites. Although a book of this nature can provide the details only of commonly published results, it is hoped that it may provide a useful guide to the newcomer to the field as well as to point out some of the future challenges. For example, we need to determine the precise subunit nomenclature of insect nicotinic receptors. This nomenclature varies amongst species and this led to some of the early confusion that persists. We need to be precise in identifying the subunit composition of native insect nicotinic receptor subtypes, their functional properties and physiological roles.

The latest tools for investigating stress response in organisms, genomic technologies provide great insight into how different organisms respond to environmental conditions. However, their usefulness needs to be tested, verified, and codified. Genomic Approaches for Cross-Species Extrapolation in Toxicology provides a balanced discussion drawn from

A clear, straightforward resource to guide you through preclinical drug development Following this book's step-by-step guidance, you can successfully initiate and complete critical phases of preclinical drug development. The book serves as a basic,comprehensive reference to prioritizing and optimizing leads, toxicity, pharmacogenomics, modeling, and regulations. This single definitive, easy-to-use resource discusses all the issues that need consideration and provides detailed instructions for current methods and techniques. Each chapter was written by one or more leading experts in the field. These authors, representing the many disciplines involved in preclinical toxicology screening and testing, give you the tools needed to apply an effective multidisciplinary approach. The editor, with more than thirty years' experience working with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, carefully reviewed all the chapters to ensure that each one is thorough, accurate, and clear. Among the key topics covered are: * In vitro mammalian cytogenetics tests * Phototoxicity * Carcinogenicity studies * The pharmacogenomics of personalized medicine * Bridging studies * Toxicogenomics and toxicoproteomics Each chapter offers a full exploration of problems that may be encountered and their solutions. The authors also set forth the limitations of various methods and techniques used in determining the safety and efficacy of a drug during the preclinical stage. This is a hands-on guide for pharmaceutical scientists involved in preclinical testing,enabling them to perform and document preclinical safety tests to meet all FDA requirements before clinical trials may begin.

"This book examines the negative impacts of plastic and explores different biotechnological interventions to plastic pollution. It also generates an awareness of the use of plastics and its impact on the environment, human health, and other ecosystems"--

Written by leading research scientists, this book integrates current knowledge of toxicology and human health through coverage of environmental toxicants, genetic / epigenetic mechanisms, and carcinogenicity. Provides information on lifestyle choices that can reduce cancer risk Offers a systematic approach to identify mutagenic, developmental and reproductive toxicants Helps readers develop new animal models and tests to assess toxic impacts of mutation and cancer on human health Explains specific cellular and molecular targets of known toxicants operating through genetic and epigenetic mechanisms