Current Research

The two principal interdisciplinary research themes of the NIEHS Marine and Freshwater Center are:

Investigators and their collaborators of the NIEHS Center are performing epidemiologic research on the following issues related to the marine and freshwater toxin diseases:

A Study of Aerosolized Red Tides and their Effects on Human Health
A Study of the Neuropsychological Effects of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Endemic Ciguatera Fish Poisoning
Reported Ciguatera Cases in South Florida using Establishment of a Marine Seafood Toxin Disease Hotline
Outreach and Education through the Establishment of a Marine Seafood Toxin Disease Hotline
Harmful Algal Blooms Occupational Screening Pilot Study
Physician Diagnosis and Reporting of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in an Endemic Area
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and ciguatera fish poisoning in the Tropical Western Atlantic region
Blue Green Algal Toxins, Surface Drinking Water, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Investigators and their collaborators in the area of Marine Models of Human Health are using the following models to examine a range of issues:

A vigorous Pilot Project program is represented by four recently selected applications:

Functional Analysis of Zinc Regulatory Genes in Transgenic Zebrafish
Red Tide Toxin Effects on Hearing: a Vertebrate Model
Molecule-Based Sensors for Carcinogenic Pollutants
Microbial Recreational Water Indicators in the Subtropical Marine Environment

For more information concerning these studies, please contact TOXMASTER and check the READINGS section for additional materials.