Effects of estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals on fetal development
Research Description
Research in my laboratory concerns the effects on fetal development of endogenous sex hormones, naturally occurring estrogenic chemicals in food, (such as phytoestrogens in soy), and estrogenic manmade chemicals in consumer products (such as bisphenol A in plastic). We collect fetal mouse reproductive tissues and use primary mouse and human cell culture to investigate cellular mechanisms that mediate responses to hormones and other chemicals. We have confirm observations from in vivo experiments using mice. An important aspect of this research is that we use a physiologically based approach to determine the doses of chemicals that we examine. This approach has led to findings that fetal tissues are extremely sensitive to much lower doses of endogenous estradiol and manmade estrogenic chemicals than had previously been appreciated.
Awards and Honors
Environmental Health Hero Award, CleanMed Association 2010
University of Missouri Alumni Association Faculty Award 2010
Heinz Foundation Award in Environmental Science 2010
Faculty Award, Mizzou Alumni Association 2009
Mystical Seven Honor Society 2008
Curators’ Professor-University of Missouri 2007
Upstream Award - Jennifer Altman Foundation 2006
Millennium Award - Indian Institute for Sustainable Future 2001
Elected Fellow - AAAS 1999
Elected Honorary Member - Italian Academy of Science 1990
Selected Publications
See Google Scholar for a list of Dr. vom Saal's publications.