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Sammi Lab

 

Lab Personnel

Overview

1. Effects of heavy metal exposure in neurodegenerative disorders

Exposure to heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Mn occurs in humans through routes such as environmental, dietary, and occupational. The implication of lifelong exposure to longevity and age-related neurodegenerative disorders is largely obscure.

The focus of our research group is to investigate how a) aging and aging mechanisms, and b) neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are affected. These studies include model systems involving cells, iPSCs, C. elegans, cell-free systems, and rodents.

Additionally, Sammi Lab is constantly working to generate new C. elegans strains designed to improve understanding of disease mechanisms and serve as tools to advance our knowledge of neurotoxicity.

2. Utilizing C. elegans for studying effect of environmental exposures and genes pertaining to ASD

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition marked by difficulties in social communication and interaction, a preference for routine and predictability, sensory processing differences, focused interests, and repetitive behaviors. About 3% of the population in the US and 1% worldwide are diagnosed with ASD. While many risk factors, both environmental and genetic, are linked to ASD, the exact cause has not been attributed to a single factor.

Our research group is actively working on using C. elegans to identify and understand the underlying mechanisms related to environmental factors and genetic risks using various behavioral and molecular assays.

  • University Startup Funds

  • R00: Elucidation of mitochondrial mechanisms critical to mediating PFAS neurotoxicity (4R00ES032488)

  • RF1 (MPI): Modeling effects of cadmium exposure on Alzheimer’s Disease pathology and neurodegeneration (1RF1AG090456)

PFAS, a group of persistent organic pollutants or “forever chemicals,” have a characteristic long half-life. While the adverse health effects of PFAS have been reported, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown, particularly its neurotoxic effects. PFAS has been used in nearly 5,000 products, including nonstick cookware, firefighting foam, food packaging industry, and stain repellants.

Historically, one of the most utilized PFAS was perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Owing to its resistance to environmental degradation, PFOS is expected to persist for decades to come. PFOS contamination extends to even the remotest regions on earth and is traceable in almost every individual’s body. While the underlying toxicity mechanisms are obscure, emerging replacement PFAS compounds pose a significant risk in near future. Considering humans have had chronic exposure to varying environmental PFAS since the mid-1900s, it is imperative to perform mechanistic studies. PFOS has been linked with the loss of dopaminergic cells and function, reduced mitochondrial content, and elevated ROS in C. elegans.

The focus of Sammi's lab is to a) identify mechanistic aspects underlying PFOS neurotoxicity, b) gain insights into the role of mitochondria in PFOS-led neurotoxicity, and c) evaluate emerging PFAS for common mechanism/mechanistic endpoints.

This project aims to identify key mechanistic targets with potential for intervention, and common mechanisms amongst other PFAS.

Research Groups