A version of this story was originally published in the Fall 2013 UW SRP eBulletin.
Dr. Evan Gallagher has been engaged in environmental toxicology research for 25 years and has been using aquatic models to study the effects of cadmium, copper and chlorpyrifos (ATSDR priority hazards) in his UW-Superfund Research Project since 2005.
His laboratory studies the effects of these chemicals on the olfactory systems of Pacific salmon and zebrafish. Dr. Gallagher is investigating the molecular mechanisms of chemical 'injuries' to the olfactory system of salmon in relation to impacts on neurologically-controlled behaviors such as the ability to detect predators and prey, as well as homing skills to return to native streams. This type of olfactory injury has also been demonstrated in other aquatic species, underscoring the ecological importance of this phenomenon as it relates to species’ survival. In addition, zebrafish are an important component of this laboratory research, providing scientists with a well-defined genetic model that can be manipulated in the laboratory, thus complimenting the salmon work.
The Gallagher laboratory is successfully unraveling the specific mechanisms of chemical-induced olfactory injury by integrating epigenetic, genomic, physiological and behavioral endpoints. The effectiveness of this multi-pronged approach is described in SRP Research Brief 224 which profiles three recent laboratory publications.
This month Dr. Gallagher is presenting research results on the mechanisms and biomarkers of cadmium-induced olfactory dysfunction in fish at the Nanotechnology and Toxicology Symposium of the 15th International Conference of the Pacific Basin Consortium for Environment and Health.