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David Williams
Professor, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology
Director, Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences (MFBS) Center
Principal Investigator, Linus Pauling Institute
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RESEARCH:
The mammalian flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) metabolizes a large number of drugs and other xenobiotics. My laboratory is involved in the study of the expression of FMO2 in the lung and its role in drug metabolism and toxicity. A polymorphic expression of human lung FMO2 has been described. We are conducting genotyping studies to determine the expression of functional and non-functional FMO2 in various ethnic groups. The catalytic properties of the enzyme are being studied with protein expressed in insect cells with baculovirus. Finally, Dr. Sharon Krueger is studying aspects of FMO structure/function with site-directed mutagenesis and chimeras. A long-term goal of this effort is to engineer FMO2 suitable for crystallography and X-ray diffraction studies.
The second major focus of my laboratory revolves around the study of dietary modulation of cancer. As a member of the Cancer Chemoprotection Program in the Linus Pauling Institute, our goal is to study the mechanism of action of micronutrients which modulation cancer and to discover novel agents that can provide chemoprotection against cancers. Currently, my laboratory is utilizing a genetically engineered mouse to study how modulation of the maternal diet with phytochemicals found in vegetables and tea can protect the fetus and neonate from the toxic effects of chemicals. As a member of the Marine/Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center, I also utilize the trout cancer model in work on cancer chemoprotection.