Our Research and Initiatives
Welcome to the Seemann Lab- your go-to destination for cutting-edge research and initiatives in the field of environmental toxicology. We are dedicated to closing the gap between organism health and underlying cellular and molecular modifications, with a specific focus on immune competence and bone tissue integrity. Our team is passionate about leveraging the medaka fish model to drive groundbreaking discoveries.
Dive into our world of innovation and exploration. Learn more about our team, our research interests, and the impact of our work. We are committed to providing valuable insights that can shape the future of environmental toxicology. Join us in our mission to make a difference.
Developmental Immunotoxicity
An altered immune system development is associated with the increased occurrence of inflammatory and immune disorders. The characterization of immune receptors, mediators, effectors, and pathways provides the key to understand the contribution of early life-stage exposures to developmental and adult immune compromise, and to develop approaches for early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The identified immune pathways will provide a novel and meaningful scientific basis to advance the DOHaD hypothesis and to assess the impact of immunotoxicant exposure on public health. Using the marine medaka model we attempt to answer
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How to assess immunotoxic effects?
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What are the mechanisms leading to immunotoxicity?
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What are the consequences for immunocompetence and organism fitness?
Transgenerational Bone Toxicity
Environmental pollutant-induced modifications in the unexposed offspring present a hot topic for environmental health and disease risk assessment. The consequences of persistent impairment of offspring due to an initial environmental disturbance in the parents may provide an explanation for phenotypic plasticity and disease susceptibility. Here we use the multiple transgenic medaka bone models developed by Dr. Winkler @ the National University of Singapore to decipher osteoblast differentiation stages associated with later-life osteoporotic risk. Moreover, we aim to characterize how parental exposures can modify the epigenetic profile of bone cells increasing the risk of bone impairment.