Reproductive Toxicology Laboratory & CHALUS
Head of laboratory:
- This laboratory is investigating male-mediated developmental toxicity, particularly after exposure to herbicides and chemicals used by servicemen during the Vietnam War, by Australian farmers and by Australian Air Force Personnel. This laboratory's aim is to test the hypothesis that these chemical mixtures can damage germ cells of males such that it leads to an increased incidence of congenital malformations or other adverse outcomes in the male's offspring. A range of in vivo and in vitro techniques are being utilised in an effort to assess the mutagenic potential of these chemical mixtures. This project is being funded by the Commonwealth Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Cleft lip constitutes almost half of all major facial malformation its incidence ranges from 1:500- 2000 live births (dependent on race). This laboratory has developed an experimental model of cleft lip that is caused by subjecting the developing foetus to hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia and subsequent rebound oxygenation is suspected of causes free radical release. It is suspected that these free radicals cause tissue damage. As well as examining the mechanisms of cleft lip development we are examining whether antioxidants can protect against cleft lip caused by foetal hypoxia. The Australia Society of Orthodontists (ASO) and the Australian Dental Research Fund (ADRF) support this research.
