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Partner 10A - Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health

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Research group information

The goal of the research at the Institute of Toxicology at the Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research center on Environment and Health is to elucidate the role of chemical toxicants with respect to the development of complex disease states. Many illnesses, for example cancer or cardiovascular disease, can arise from an interaction between environmental contaminants, genetic disposition and individual lifestyle. The significance of chemical toxicants in the process of disease development is determined by the mechanism of action and the potency of the compound, the level of exposure as well as individual susceptibility.

Mechanism-based research at this institute include: (1) the effects of valproic acid on prevention of cancer development through modulation of HDAC function, and (2) non-genotoxic pathways involved in TCDD-induced hepatocellular transformation. Ongoing studies such as these should provide a fundamental knowledge of the signal transduction cascades and genetically predefined programs that are altered during the development of disease. This research design will result in better strategies for the detection, quantification and reduction of health risk.