Biomarker Environmental Exposures and Human Health

(4 Credits)

Application of biomarkers in human populations is a useful approach that incorporates advanced laboratory technology with epidemiology to evaluate the health hazards and risk of exposure to environmental pollutants at low levels. It is increasingly utilized as a tool to understand the interactions between genes and environmental exposures and to identify ?at-risk? populations and individuals. This course covers both the basic concepts and the practical issues involved in conducting biomarker studies in human populations with environmental exposures. Topics include the strengths and limitations of biomarker applications, criteria for the selection and validation of commonly used biomarkers, approaches of newly emerging technologies (e.g., proteomics) relevant to discovery and development of new biomarkers, issues of quality control, and ethical considerations in biomarker research. The course also provides students with lectures focusing on specific environmental carcinogens regarding the current findings and future research needs of their biomarker applications.