Marine Neurotoxins

M. Teresa Fernández-Sánchez is Full Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Oviedo (Spain) and member of the Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA). She graduated in Chemistry and post-graduated in Biochemistry at the University of Oviedo, and worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the National Cancer Institute (NIH, USA). Her research activity focuses on the study of the biological action of marine toxins and seafood contaminants on neuronal survival and functioning, and in particular the effects of subtoxic long-term exposures to these compounds on the occurrence of neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress, using primary cultures of central nervous system cells. Together with Dr. A. Novelli she co-leads the Brain Science and Technology Laboratory at the University of Oviedo since 1990. The group has recently started using the microelectrode arrays (MEA) methodology for the analysis of extracellular recordings generated by in vitro cortical neuronal networks growth on microelectrodes, and has successfully used this methodology for the detection of very low concentrations of marine biotoxins of microalgal origin, including okadaic acid, domoic acid and prorocentroic acid, as well as the characterization of the effects of subtoxic concentrations of these toxins on neuronal excitability and function. Based on this experience, studies are also in progress for the application of MEA methodology for the identification of new functional biomarkers related to Alzheimer´s disease to be detected in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Her academic activity has been strongly oriented in the last few years to establishing at the University of Oviedo studies involving active learning methodologies and a high degree of internationalization. She actively participated in the organization of a new degree in Biotechnology (2009), and in the organization of the Master in Biotechnology of Environment and Health (www.unioviedo.es/MBEH), an international programme of problem-based learning methodology, established at the University of Oviedo in 2011, that she coordinates ever since. Responsible for many international agreements for the exchange of students and staff with many Universities worldwide, she has lectured in several European Universities Since June 2016 Director of the Area of Europe at the Vice-rectorate for University Extension and International Development of the University of Oviedo.

Dr. Aschner serves as the Harold and Muriel Block Chair in Molecular Pharmacology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He served on numerous toxicology panels (Institute of Medicine, US Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Disease Control), and is a member of the Neurotoxicology and Alcohol study section (NIH). Research in our lab focuses on the following topics: (1) Modulation of C. elegans genes (aat, skn-1, daf-16) that are homologous to mammalian regulators of MeHg uptake and cellular resistance will modify dopaminergic neurodegeneration in response to MeHg exposure. (2) Under conditions of MeHg-induced oxidative stress, Nrf2 (a master regulator of antioxidant responses) coordinates the upregulation of cytoprotective genes that combat MeHg-induced oxidative injury, and that genetic and biochemical changes that negatively impact upon Nrf2 function increase MeHg's neurotoxicity. (3) PARK2, a strong PD genetic risk factor, alters neuronal vulnerability to modifiers of cellular Mn status, particularly at the level of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Our studies are designed to (1) shed novel mechanistic insight into metal-induced neurodegeneration; (2) identify targets for genetic or pharmacologic modulation of neurodegenerative disorders; (3) increase knowledge of the pathway involved in oxidative stress; (4) develop improved research models for human disease using knowledge of environmental sciences.

Dr. Lucio G. Costa is Professor of Toxicology at the University of Washington in Seattle, and of Pharmacology/Toxicology at the University of Parma Medical School. He received a doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Milano in 1977, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Texas at Houston. He is a member of several national and international professional organizations, a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences, and a European Certified Toxicologist. He received various award for his scientific accomplishments, including the Achievement Award from the Society of Toxicology. He serves in various editorial capacities for several toxicology journals, and is an active manuscript and grant reviewer. Dr. Costa has been the member of dozens of panels and committees at the national and international level dealing with toxicology and risk assessment issues. He has chaired and/or organized symposia at scientific meetings in the United States and internationally. He has been teaching classes in the area of toxicology, neurotoxicology and pharmacology to graduate and medical students for 30 years. He keeps an active research program in the area of neurotoxicology.