Effects on human cells

Plastic-associated chemicals have been linked to adverse effects on human health, e.g. the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome and inflammation resulting in increased morbidity and mortality in humans. We investigate the molecular mechanisms driving these effects to link exposure to impact using multi-omics approaches. With the obtained data, we aim to support regulatory risk assessment and the development of green chemicals.

Projects:

PARC WB5.2.1 Metabolic Disruption (2022-2029), SFB1052/B1 (DFG 2021-25), SFB1052/Z3 (DFG 2021-25), DBU scholarship (2018-2022)

Contributing scientists
Kristin Schubert
Martin von Bergen
Isabel Karkossa
Alix Aldehoff
Cornelius Goerdeler

Publications:

[1) Schaffert A, Krieg L, Weiner J, Schlichting R, Ueberham E, Karkossa I, et al. Alternatives for the worse: Molecular insights into adverse effects of bisphenol a and substitutes during human adipocyte differentiation. Environment International. 2021;156:106730.

[2] Schaffert A, Karkossa I, Ueberham E, Schlichting R, Walter K, Arnold J, et al. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate substitutes accelerate human adipogenesis through PPARgamma activation and cause oxidative stress and impaired metabolic homeostasis in mature adipocytes. Environ Int. 2022;164:107279.

[3] Schaffert A, Arnold J, Karkossa I, Bluher M, von Bergen M, Schubert K. The Emerging Plasticizer Alternative DINCH and Its Metabolite MINCH Induce Oxidative Stress and Enhance Inflammatory Responses in Human THP-1 Macrophages. Cells. 2021;10(9).

[4] Bannuscher A, Karkossa I, Buhs S, Nollau P, Kettler K, Balas M, et al. A multi-omics approach reveals mechanisms of nanomaterial toxicity and structure–activity relationships in alveolar macrophages. Nanotoxicology.2020;14(2):181-95.