Current Activities
The HESI Genomics Committee is currently seeking proposals for new projects for possible adoption in 2008. We encourage all submissions – but please do so by July 15, 2007. Details and submission form are available here.
The HESI Genomics Committee will be sponsoring a public meeting (pre-registration required) to discuss the results of the 2005-2007 research program. The meeting will be held at the Westin Washington Hotel in Washington, DC from November 7-8, 2007. For registration and program information for the meeting, click here.
The HESI Genomics Committee was featured at the State of the Science session at HESI’s Annual Meeting in January 2007. During this session, Committee Chair Dr. Cynthia Afshari, Amgen, provided an overview of the Committee’s research to date. A copy of her presentation is available here.
The HESI Genomics Committee is currently undertaking activities in four distinct areas described briefly below:
Survey on State of Application of Genomics
– The Committee developed and distributed an online survey to a broad multi-sector group of genomics-users. The survey identifies perceptions and experience in the application of genomics to safety evaluation as they vary across sectors (e.g., pharma vs. government) and job responsibilities (e.g., management versus bench research). Results to be submitted as a manuscript in fourth quarter 2007.
Database of Baseline Genomic Animal Data
– This project elicited voluntary contributions of control rodent microarray data (liver and kidney samples) and deposited them in an NIEHS’ BID database. Statistical analysis of the data is complete and a manuscript is in process (anticipated publication in early 2008). The study reveals genes that exhibit consistently high or low variability across baseline studies in different laboratories. The results will be informative in interpreting potential genomic biomarkers of effect.
Genomics for Elucidating Genotoxic Mechanisms
– This experimental program employed RT-PCR and microarray to facilitate characterization of small gene sets that might be useful in classifying direct versus indirect acting genotoxins. The research was carried out by participating organizations in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Analysis is currently underway and results will be published in late 2007 or early 2008.
Genomics for Identifying Mechanistic Markers of Toxicity
– The Committee designed and sponsored a six week rodent study (preceded by a shorter dose-range finding study) to evaluate cardiac toxicity in rodents exposed to doxyrubicin and etoposide. The study design is intended to generate both ‘traditional’ toxicity data (e.g., histopathology, clinicial chemistry, etc.) but also correlated genomic microarray data. Participants are currently evaluating the study results and considering the potential of microarray data to enhance the mechanistic interpretation of the study outcomes. This study represents a collaborative effort of the HESI Genomics and HESI Biomarkers Committees. All data will be made publicly available and published in the peer-reviewed literature by early 2008.
If you would like to learn more about these new programs or how you can get involved please contact us at hesi@hesiglobal.org.
Background
In mid-1999 the membership of the ILSI Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) formed the Committee on the Application of Genomics to Mechanism Based Risk Assessment to develop a collaborative scientific program to address issues, challenges, and opportunities afforded by the emerging field of toxicogenomics. Experts and advisors from academia and government laboratories participate on the Committee, along with approximately 25 corporate member organizations from the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, chemical and consumer products industries.
The committee has, since its formation, designed, conducted and analyzed numerous toxicogenomics experiments within the broad fields of hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and genotoxicity. The considerable body of data generated by these programs has been instrumental in increasing our participants’ understanding of sources of biological and technical variability, the alignment of toxicant-induced transcription changes with the accepted mechanism of action of these agents, and the challenges in the consistent analysis and sharing of the voluminous datasets generated by these approaches.
Files
A complete citation list for these articles is available for download here.
Download the English Application of Genomics to Mechanism Based Risk Assessment fact sheet here
Download the Japanese Application of Genomics to Mechanism Based Risk Assessment fact sheet here