Toxicology is a study of the health of humans and other living organisms and conservation of their ecosystems. Main research topics include identification of substances (hazardous) which disrupt homeostasis of an organism and ecological balance, clarification of their impact, mechanism of action and transmission, and their prevention and control.
Allow us to briefly introduce some of our current research projects.
Study of the evolution and species differentiation of biological defense systems against chemicals
For a creature to defend itself from harmful substances, its defense system must continuously evolve. This defense system is associated with various proteins, such as cytochrome P450. In order to understand how chemicals affect different living organisms, detailed understanding of these proteins is essential.
At our Laboratory of Toxicology, we study the defense mechanisms of animals at the molecular level . Targeted species in our research include carnivorous animals such as lions, sea lions, Steller’s sea eagles, and white-tailed sea eagles which are exposed to high concentrations of contaminants; animals are exposed to poisonous or chemically contaminated plants , such as Yezo sika deer, tapirs, giraffes, and elephants; farm animals such as cows, horses, and roosters; amphibians highly susceptible to contaminants in a semi-aquatic environment, such as frogs and newts; and chordates which are the key to understanding how defense systems commonly seen in vertebrates have evolved.
Clarification of the effect of continued environmental contamination in Africa on humans and animals
How do you imagine Africa? Do you see it as an undeveloped continent, abundant with animals such as lions, elephants, giraffes and hippopotamus across the great Serengeti ?
True there are such places, but rapid development in Africa today has also led to serious problems due to environmental contamination. To what degree is such contamination occurring? We are currently examining how environmental contaminants are affecting African soil and fish, as well as African wildlife, such as hippopotamus, alligators, and birds, as well as domestic animals and humans. Through our research, we seek to predict contamination sources and establish contamination control guidelines.
We are currently involved in surveys and research projects in various African nations in cooperation with local researchers, research assistants, and the local community. Collaborative research projects are being carried out with affiliated institutions in over 10 nations, including Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan.