The general area of research in Dr. Costa's laboratory is neurotoxicology. Neurotoxic substances may play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders, and in neurological, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Costa's laboratory is interested in the study of the cellular, biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in neurotoxicity, as well as behavioral testing, imaging techniques and transgenic animal models.
The general area of research in Dr. Costa's laboratory is neurotoxicology. Neurotoxic substances may play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders, and in neurological, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Costa's laboratory is interested in the study of the cellular, biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in neurotoxicity, as well as behavioral testing, imaging techniques and transgenic animal models.
Neurotoxicology. Molecular mechanisms of neurotoxicity. Biochemical markers of neurotoxicity. Children's health. Food additives and contaminants. Genetic susceptibility. In vitro toxicology. Pesticides and children. Neurotoxicity of diesel exhaust. Paraoxonase 1 and paraoxonase 2. Metals and oxidative stress. Gender differences in oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. Air pollution and autism-related disorders. Neurotoxicity of air pollution. Air pollution and neurodegenerative diseases.
Not available to mentor new students.
Interests: Neurotoxicology. Molecular mechanisms and biochemical markers of neurotoxicity. Children's health. Food additives and contaminants. Genetic susceptibility. In vitro toxicology. Pesticides. Neurotoxicity of diesel exhaust and air pollution. Paraoxonase 1 and paraoxonase 2. Metals and oxidative stress. Air pollution and autism-related disorders. Air pollution and neurodegenerative diseases.
Projects
Studies on the neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity of environmental exposure to traffic-related air pollution (e.g. diesel exhaust) with focus on oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and markers of neurodegenerative diseases. Studies include in vivo exposures in mice, and biochemical, behavioral and immunohistochemical measurements.
Studies on the role of paraoxonase 2 as a determinant of sex-linked differences in susceptibility to neurotoxicity using transgenic mice and in vitro and in vivo approaches.
Studies on the role of paraoxonase 1 in modulating susceptibility to organophosphate toxicity.
Studies on the role of paraoxonase 2 as a determinant of sex-linked differences in susceptibility to neurotoxicity using transgenic mice and in vitro and in vivo approaches.
ENVH 531 Neurotoxicology (3 credits, Winter Quarter, Even years)
ENVH 516 Toxic Agents: Effects and Mechanisms (3 credits, Spring Quarter)
