Heavy Metals
Location: MM 330
Environmental factors affecting human health
The presence of arsenic, lead, and other contaminants in soils, water, air, and food negatively impact human health. Environmental agencies across the world identify and provide guidelines on exposure limits. However, how humans may be exposed to the contaminant (inhalation, ingestion, or contact) is essential to understand the impact on human health. Additionally, experimental conditions should be able to replicate the exact conditions. In vitro experiments considering the exposure route and conditions will provide invaluable guidance in establishing safe limits.
Our lab has been working closely with Dr. Rupali Datta (BioSci) to develop in vitro cell culture models to better understand the contact exposure to arsenic and lead and the cellular pathways that are affected by them.
In vitro demonstration of exposure to arsenic using Keratinocytes
Healthy Keratinocytes
72-hr time lapse
Keratinocytes exposed to 45ppm Arsenic
72-hr time lapse
Keratinocytes exposed to 225ppm Arsenic
72-hr time lapse
Related literary works
"In-vitro cell culture model to determine toxic effects of soil Arsenic due to direct dermal exposure," Manas Warke, Madeline English, Laura De Marchi, Rohan Deep Sarkar, Srinivas Kannan, Rupali Datta, Smitha Rao, Environmental Technology & Innovation, Vol 28, Pg. 102949, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2022.102949.
"Cellular Model for Assessing Dermal Cell Response to Direct Soil-Arsenic Exposure as an Environmental Contaminant," Madeline English, Manas Warke, Camila Padilla, Lexie Gasco, Wendy Leisner, Rupali Datta, Smitha Rao, National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR), Eau Claire, WI on April 13-15, 2023.
"Development of in-vitro cell culture models to investigate human health risk from soil-arsenic exposure," Manas Warke, Dibyendu Sarkar, Rupali Datta, Smitha Rao, ACS Spring 2022, March 20-24, San Diego, CA. Poster presentation.
"Evaluating Metal Uptake Potential of Wild Rice growing in Copper Mining-Impacted Areas in Keweenaw Bay, Michigan," Rohan Deep Sarkar, Brooke Carter, Samantha Haynes, Manas Warke, Zhiming Zhang, Smitha Rao, The 37th Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments, Water and Energy, AEHS Foundation, Oct 18-21, 2021, Virtual Poster presentation.
"A Cell Culture Model To Determine Risk Of Cancer Due To Soil-Arsenic Exposure Through Dermal Contact," Manas Warke, Dibyendu Sarkar, Rupali Datta, Smitha Rao, 2021 Annual Meeting of BMES, Oct 6-9, 2021, Poster presentation.
"A cell culture model to investigate effects of soil-arsenic exposure through dermal contact ," Manas Warke, Srinivas Kannan, Rupali Datta, Smitha Rao, Michigan Physiological Society, June 25th, 2021, Virtual presentation.