August 23, 2024
Four-year, NIH-funded project to help understand how exposure to microplastic and environmental pollutant mixtures affects health
The National Institutes of Health awarded St. Mary’s University nearly $700,000 to understand how microplastics — plastic pieces smaller than five millimeters — can affect human health when combined with everyday toxins.
The $669,951, four-year grant awarded to Jennifer Harr, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of the Forensic Science Program in the School of Science, Engineering and Technology, funds research on how exposure to environmental chemicals, such as pesticides and plastic additives, when combined with microplastics, can damage DNA, development and health.
The work is done using C. elegans, a microscopic worm and model organism for human development, health and disease.
Microplastics come from plastic debris that degrades into smaller and smaller pieces. Scientists have been reporting that microplastics are now found in the human body and organs, in human breast milk and blood.
“We accept that there’s a baseline level of toxins out there, and normal, safe exposure is fine,” Harr said. “But if these microplastics absorb or carry toxins on their surface, they essentially become a vehicle for these chemicals and the combined effects on health are unknown.”
Student researchers from various backgrounds, such as Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Environmental Science are conducting the research with Harr. St. Mary’s promotes transformational, hands-on learning through research and creative scholarly activities for faculty and students at the graduate and undergraduate levels. The grant allows for funding for equipment, stipends for students, a full-time research assistant and travel to conferences to share findings.
“We have classes and their associated labs, but it’s becoming better understood that students doing experiential-based learning, and not just following a protocol, can better make connections and apply what they’re learning in the classroom,” she said.
Research reported in this press release was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number R16GM150406.