National Capital Area Chapter
Society of Toxicology Newsletter
Electronic Edition
December
2005 Issue
20
Renew Your SOT and NCAC Membership at
http://www.toxicology.org/script/loginredirect2.asp?page=dues
MESSAGE FROM THE
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
MESSAGE FROM THE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
ABSTRACTS FROM
NOVEMBER, 2005 NCAC-SOT SYMPOSIUM
The National Capital Area Chapter of
the Society of Toxicology (NCAC-SOT) was established to provide a regional
focus for scientists of all disciplines interested in toxicology. The Chapter
acts to:
·
Sponsor
and co-sponsor symposia on current issues in toxicology.
·
Provide
an annual award to an outstanding student in toxicology to assist in attending
the annual meeting of the SOT.
·
Maintain
communication with the National SOT regarding current toxicology and regulatory
concerns.
·
Sponsor
regional Chapter events at the annual meeting of the SOT.
As
2005 comes to a close, it is a good time to take a moment and reflect on the
many accomplishments that the National Capital Area Chapter of the Society of
Toxicology (NCAC-SOT) has achieved over this past year with the help of its
Executive Board.
Our
fall symposium on “Biological, Toxicological, and Regulatory Considerations of
Nano-Materials” was a huge success. This
very informative and timely conference, which was co-sponsored by the National
Capital Area Chapter of the Society for Risk Analysis and the Association of
Government Toxicologists, was extremely well attended, with nearly 150
scientists participating. Congratulations
and special thanks to Suzy Fitzpatrick, NCAC-SOT Executive Board Vice-President
and organizer of the symposium.
Of
special interest to area students was the Student Day symposium, ably organized
by our SOT Student Representative and Vice-Representative, Mashael Al-Namaeh
and Devon Graham, respectively. The
topic of the symposium this year was “Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
Skills for Graduate Students and Post-Docs”.
Seven presenters spoke in early November about topics ranging from
repairing mentor-student relationships and conflicts within the dissertation
committee to how to avoid burning your bridges and various forms of
harassment. Ten students from area
colleges were registered for this conference.
Congratulations to our student representatives for a job well done!
One
of the aims of the Executive Board this year was to increase participation of
area students (undergraduate, graduate and post-docs) in Chapter
activities. Towards that goal, a
“Student Activities Committee” was formed consisting of faculty representatives
from several local universities to assist the Board in student recruitment and
in identifying activities of specific interest for students. The Student Activities Committee is chaired
by Dr. Katherine Squibb (University of Maryland) and includes Drs. Tee Guidotti
(George Washington University), Tai Guo (Virginia Commonwealth University), Sid
Green (Howard University), Marion Ehrich (Virginia Tech), Michael Trush (Johns
Hopkins University) and our SOT Student Rep and Student Vice-Rep Mashael
Al-Namaeh and Devon Graham, respectively.
We have begun to see some benefits from this newly formed committee as
students from John Hopkins, Maryland, Howard, and Virginia Tech universities have
attended our November Fall and Student Day Symposia.
A
second goal of the Board this year was to encourage area high school students,
especially those from “gifted and talented” programs, to consider career paths
in the sciences, and more specifically, in toxicology. To assist the Board with this endeavor, the
Board formed an “Outreach Committee” composed of Board members Thomas Flynn
(Chairperson), Lynn Flowers, Jennifer Weeks Sekowski, Harry Milman, and Suzie
Fitzpatrick. With help from Board member
Jennifer Weeks Sekowski, we hope to sponsor a class from the Aberdeen Science
and Math Academy to attend the NCAC-SOT Spring Symposium.
Special
thanks are in order to Thomas Flynn, our website Webmaster, and to Gary Burin,
our Newsletter Editor. Both have done an
outstanding job this year in ensuring that our Chapter’s activities are well
publicized and that the Chapter’s membership is informed in a timely fashion of
all Executive Board decisions. Thanks also to go to Pamela Chamberlain,
Secretary, and to Jennifer Weeks Sekowski, Treasurer, both of whom have been
wonderful in performing “above and beyond the call of duty”, having the added
responsibility of manning the registration desk at our two symposia. Thanks also to Board Councilor Lynn Flowers
and Past-President David Jacobson-Kram for their valuable input to the Board’s
decision-making process and to securing meeting space at the new Food and Drug
Administration facilities in White Oak, MD.
Several
positions will become available on the NCAC-SOT Executive Board beginning May
2006 including Vice-President/President-elect, Secretary, Councilor/Newsletter
Editor, and SOT Student Vice-Representative.
More information on their duties can be found on the Chapter’s website
at www.toxicology.org (scroll to the
National Capital Area Chapter regional page).
I urge you to consider applying for one of these positions and to submit
a one-paragraph biography to hmilman@verizon.net
by February 1, 2006.
May
you all have a happy holiday season.
Harry A. Milman
MESSAGE FROM THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR
My
term as newsletter editor is coming to a close in May 2006. As Dr. Milman has noted above NCAC-SOT is
looking for candidates for this position.
In addition to preparing the bi-annual newsletter for the next three
years the position includes the responsibility of serving on the Executive
Board. A good working knowledge of
Microsoft “Word” is necessary in this position but journalism experience is not
necessary. Contact me (Gburin@tsgusa.com) if you have any
questions. If you are interested in applying for the position please submit
your biography prior to February 6, 2006 to Dr. Milman (hmilman@verizon.net).
The
NCAC newsletter disseminates information of interest to Toxicologists and
members of related professions in the National Capital Area. We’re happy to publicize upcoming
not-for-profit events in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia that
may be of interest to toxicologists. Please send these announcements to my
attention (Gburin@tsgusa.com).
This issue of the NCAC
newsletter contains, in addition to the usual features such as the reports of
our President and Treasurer, the abstract from speakers at our Fall Symposium
on the topic of nanomaterials. An
application for membership can also be found at the end of the newsletter. Feel free to distribute this edition of the
newsletter to colleagues who may be interested in joining our local
chapter. The cost is nominal ($20 for
full membership, $10 for student membership) and membership in the local
chapter is an excellent introduction to local activities in the toxicology
field. Additional information on our
local chapter can be found at our website
(http://www.toxicology.org/isot/rc/ncac/default.htm).
Gary Burin
202-828-8980
MESSAGE
FROM THE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Students and postdocs alike
convened at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, MD, on November 3rd
for their annual symposium. This year’s
program, entitled “Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Skills for Graduate
Students and Postdocs”, was a success, with representatives from the University
of Maryland, Howard University, American University, and NIH in
attendance. Speakers from various
backgrounds spoke on a multitude of topics, including the intricacies of the
student/mentor relationship, tactics for handling harassment, and the means to
handle a sticky situation, among other things.
A complete list of speakers and their abstracts can be found on the
NCAC-SOT website.
Recently, a new committee
has been added to the executive board
(see “Message from the Incoming President” in this newsletter). The Student Activities Committee (SAC) was
designed to increase student/postdoc involvement, and members serve as liaisons
to the students at their respective universities. It is our hope that together we can build a
stronger commitment to student/postdoc involvement within our chapter.
The SAC is also looking for
a candidate to fill the student/postdoc vice-representative position. This is a 2 year term, in which the first
year will be spent assisting the head representative in chapter functions,
followed by succession to the head representative position for the second
year. A full description of the
officer’s duties can be found on the NCAC-SOT website. All applicants should submit their CV to drmashael@aol.com or to dgrah001@maryland.edu for
review.
Finally, the student/postdoc
poster session will be held at the upcoming spring symposium. There are monetary awards for the winners, so
good luck to those that participate. Details are forthcoming.
Mashael Al-Namaeh and Devon
Graham
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
National Capital Area Chapter
– Society of Toxicology
President: Harry Milman ('05-'06)
ToxNetwork.com
301-871-6714
Vice-President/ Suzanne
Fitzpatrick (’05-’06)
President-Elect US FDA
301-827-4591
Immediate
Past David Jacobson-Kram (’04-’05)
President Food and Drug
Administration
301-594-5671
Secretary: Pamela Chamberlain ('03-'06)
Covance
Laboratories
703-245-2200
Treasurer: Jennifer Weeks Sekowski ('05-‘08)
US Army
CHPPM
410-436-8774
Councilors: Gary Burin ('03-'06)
Technology
Sciences Group Inc.
202-828-8980
Lynn Flowers
(‘04-‘07)
US EPA
202-564-1537
Thomas Flynn
(‘05-‘08)
Food and
Drug Administration
301-827-8382
Student Mashael Al-Namaeh (‘05-’06)
Representative Howard University
Student Vice- Devon Graham (’05-’06)
Representative University
of Maryland
410-550-1532
ABSTRACTS
FROM NOVEMBER, 2005 NCAC-SOT SYMPOSIUM
|
Introductory
Remarks: Nanotechnology-What’s the Hype? Celia
Merzbacher, PhD Nanotechnology encompasses the understanding,
control, and use of matter at dimensions (roughly 1 to 100 nanometers) at
which unique phenomena occur. Nanotechnology falls across a broad range of
disciplines, areas of research, applications, and industries, and advances
are announced daily by researchers and companies around the world. Nations and businesses are moving quickly
in hopes of reaping the benefits of this emerging technology. At the same time, concerns have been raised
regarding unknown risks associated with the novel materials. Within this
dynamic setting, the NNI is working to balance and leverage investments, to
stimulate innovation and promote transfer of research to commercial use and
public benefit, to assess and manage risks, and to communicate with and
engage the public. This talk will
provide an overview of nanotechnology and the NNI. |
|
National
Toxicology Program Activities Evaluating the Safety of Nano-scale Materials Nigel
Walker, PhD Currently
there is a paucity of data on the potential toxicity of manufactured
nanoscale materials. The unique and diverse physico-chemical properties of
nanoscale materials suggest that toxicological properties may differ from
materials of similar composition but larger size. The National Toxicology
Program (NTP) coordinates toxicology research and testing programs within the
federal government and conducts research to provide information about
potentially toxic chemicals to health, regulatory, and research agencies,
scientific and medical communities, and the public. The NTP is currently
engaged in a research program to investigate fundamental questions concerning
how nanoscale materials are absorbed and distributed in vivo and whether they
can adversely impact biological systems. As part of this research program,
the following specific studies are currently ongoing and will discussed:
evaluation of the role of size and surface characteristics on the biological
fate and disposition of nanoscale crystalline fluorescent semiconductors
(“quantum dots”) and titanium dioxide following dermal exposure; evaluation
of the in vivo toxicity of fullerene-based nanoscale materials by pulmonary
and systemic routes of exposure. |
|
Dermal Penetration of Nano Materials
and Possible Toxicity Robert L.
Bronaugh, Ph.D. Nanoparticles
are beginning to be used in cosmetic products as well as other products
regulated by FDA. Nanodispersed systems such as liposomes, nanoemulsions, and
solid lipid nanoparticles can be used to encapsulate water or lipid soluble
ingredients. The flexibility of liposomes and surfactant-based vesicles may
aid in their penetration into the skin. More rigid nanoparticles such as
polymers are more robust and may have increased stability after application to
the skin. The sun blocking agents titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are used in
over-the-counter drugs as well as in cosmetic products. The National
Toxicology Program is funding a study that could lead to examination of the
phototoxicity of nanoparticles of these sunblocking agents. Initial studies
have focused on the ability of smaller particles to be absorbed through
human, pig and hairless mouse skin. Preliminary results of these studies
examining the penetration of quantum dots through skin will be presented. |
|
Pulmonary Toxicity and Impact on
Respiratory Health – Particle Size isn’t Everything David B.
Warheit, PhD The
results of several lung toxicology studies in rats have demonstrated that
ultrafine or nanoparticles (generally defined as particles in the size range
< 100 nm) administered to the lungs produce enhanced inflammatory
responses when compared to fine-sized particles of similar chemical
composition at equivalent doses. However, the common perception that
nanoparticles are always more toxic than fine-sized particles is based upon a
systematic comparison of only 2 particle-types, namely, titanium dioxide and
carbon black particles. Apart from particle size and corresponding surface
area considerations, several additional factors may play more important roles
in influencing the pulmonary toxicity of nanoparticles. These include, but are not limited to: 1)
surface treatments/coatings of particles; 2) the aggregation/disaggregation
potential of aerosolized particles; 3) the method of nanoparticle synthesis –
i.e., whether the particle was generated in the gas or liquid phase (i.e.,
fumed vs. colloidal/precipitated); 4) translocation potential of the
particle; 5) particle shape; and 6) surface charge. Results of pulmonary bioassay hazard/safety
studies will be presented demonstrating that fine-sized quartz particles (1.6
µm) may produce greater pulmonary toxicity (inflammation, cytotoxicity, cell
proliferation and/or histopathology) in rats when compared to nanoscale
quartz particles (50 nm), but not when compared to smaller nanoquartz sizes
(e.g., < 30 nm). In addition, other studies have demonstrated no
measurable difference in pulmonary toxicity indices among particle-types when comparing exposures in
rats to 1) fine-sized TiO2 particles (300 nm – 6 m2/g
(surface area); 2) TiO2 nanodots (6-10 nm – 169 m2/g);
or 3) TiO2 nanorods (25 m2/g). Finally, studies will be presented which
demonstrate that varying surface treatments on fine-sized TiO2 particles
influence lung responses. In summary,
some important take-home messages are the following: 1) Risk
is a product of Hazard and Exposure; In general, one cannot assume that nanomaterials have the same chemistry or biology (i.e., toxicity) as their microscale or macroscale counterparts (i.e., either greater than or less than); 3) therefore,
the hazards of each particle-type should be tested on a case-by-case basis. |
|
Engineered Nanomaterials and
Occupational Health Andrew
Maynard, PhD Nanotechnology has been hailed by
some as the next technological revolution, and is poised to impact on every
aspect of our lives. Through the
manipulation of matter at near-atomic scales, the technology is enabling
remarkable progress in many fields to produce new materials, structures and
devices with unique and truly innovative properties. Although predominantly at the laboratory
and pre-commercial stage, nanotechnology-based commercial products are
already available, ranging from cosmetics to stain-resistant clothing. The future promises significant advances in
areas as diverse as next-generation electronics, high efficiency energy
conversion and storage, novel sensors and advanced medical diagnostics. However, as with all new
technologies, exploiting the unique behavior of nanomaterials and devices
also introduces the potential for unique and unforeseen health and
environmental impacts. Understanding
and minimizing possible impacts is a daunting task, and not one that can be
undertaken lightly or in isolation.
Central to this task is the need to understand and address possible
associations between nanotechnology and occupational health. While there are many components to
assessing and reducing the possible health risk associated with engineered
nanomaterials, perhaps one of the most immediate challenges is characterizing
exposures – both in the workplace and in toxicity studies. Characterizing exposures to
particulate matter has always carried with it a unique set of
challenges. Unlike bulk materials or
gases and vapors, pertinent properties of particles extend beyond the
chemistry of the material and encompass physical attributes such as shape and
size. As available information on the
toxicity of low solubility nanometer-scale particles and structures
increases, it is apparent that we are being faced with a new set of
challenges: Particle number, structure, surface area and surface activity as
well as size and shape are indicated as potentially relevant properties,
questioning the validity of characterizing exposures using mass concentration
and bulk chemistry alone for these materials.
As nanotechnology moves closer to widespread commercialization, new
methods of characterizing relevant material attributes in toxicity studies
and appropriately measuring exposure and dose are required. This
presentation will explore the need for appropriate materials characterization
methods as we address the potential health implications of engineered
nanomaterials in the workplace, and will discuss recent advances in
understanding. |
|
Science
Needs for Environmental Decision-Making for Nanotoxicity at the Environmental
Protection Agency Jeff Morris,
PhD This
presentation discusses how EPA currently is evaluating its scientific needs
for leveraging the benefits of nanotechnology and assessing the potential
impacts of nanomaterials on human health and the environment. EPA is developing a white paper to discuss
science policy issues and research needs related to nanotechnology and the
environment. The presentation will
outline the issues being raised and the types of recommendations being
proposed in the draft white paper, which is presently undergoing internal
agency review. |
|
Characterization of nano particles as
part of risk assessment Scott
McNeil, PhD The
Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL) conducts preclinical
efficacy and toxicity testing of nanoparticles intended for cancer
therapeutics and diagnostics. The NCL is a collaborating partnership between
NCI, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute of
Standards and Technology. As part of its assay cascade, NCL characterizes
nanoparticles' physical attributes, their in vitro biological properties, and
their in vivo compatibility using animal models. The Laboratory facilitates
the rapid transition of basic nanoscale particles and devices into clinical
applications by providing the critical infrastructure and characterization
services to nanomaterial providers. It is a national resource available to
investigators from academia, industry and government. The presentation will
provide an overview of the NCL, discuss parameters that are critical to
biocompatibility, and present assays used for preclinical characterization of
nanoparticles. |
|
FDA’s
Current Thinking on the Assessment of Risks From Nano-Materials Stanley
Brown, D. Eng Dr.
Brown has been an FDA delegate to the NSET
(Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology) subcommittee of the
President's Office of Science and Technology Policy for the past 3 years. He
is also a member of the FDA OC NanoTechnology Interest Group. As a result, he has been watching the field
develop, paying particular attention to new concepts or devices that would be
in the FDA regulatory domain. Clipping
from the literature, from the Web, and from presentations he has heard, Dr.
Brown has built a PowerPoint presentation on Nano and FDA. This
seminar will attempt to answer 5 questions:
With whom are we thinking and talking?
What is Nano? What are the dose
metrics? What are the toxicological
issues? Who will regulate products utilizing nanotechnology; what are
combination products? It is presented at a level to help FDA reviewers and
toxicologists understand the implications, uniqueness, potential, and hype of
nano. There are also a few
off-the-wall examples for a bit of comic relief. |
National Capital Area SOT, Spring 2006 Symposium
Mark
your calendar-
Topic: “Toxicology and
Disaster Preparation and Response”
Location: National Library of
Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland
Date: May
22, 2006
October 17, 2005
Checking account balance (Sept. 29, 2005
statement)
$13,345.47
Update on Fall Symposium registrations (as of Oct. 17):
Registration: Cost Rc’d
Members
Students (early-bird) ($0) 3 $ 0.00
Regular (early-bird) ($35) 12 $ 420.00
Non-Members:
Students (early-bird) ($10) $
Regular (early-bird) ($45) 17 $ 765.00
TOTAL 31 $ 1150.00
Membership
Regular ($20) 3 $ 60.00
Student ($10) 1 $ 70.00
TOTAL 4 $ 70.00
Gross Symposium/ Membership income to-date $1255.00
Update on Fall Student Day registrations:
Student Registration:
Members (early-bird): ($10) 1 $10.00
Non-Members
(early-bird): ($15) 0 $ 0.00
TOTAL 1 $10.00
Gross
Student Day income to-date $10.00
Anticipated contributions
from co-sponsors:
AGT
($500)
SRA ($500)
Reference on past Symposium
costs (from Laurie Roszell’s records):
Spring Symposium- related
expenses (final):
Printing (programs) $ 74.87
Supplies (Badges) $ 0.00
Plaque $ 106.52
Speaker (estimated): Dr. Lipscomb $ 300.00
Dr. Mumtaz $ 300.00
Room rental $ 0.00
Catering: $ 615.00
Posters $ 1465.95
Student Awards $ 750.00
Total meeting expenses $
3612.34
Respectfully Submitted,
Jennifer Sekowski
17 October
2005